The Influence of Multiple Variables on the Prevalence of Aspirin Prescribing in Patients with Known Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Background and Objective: To determine the prevalence of aspirin prescribing in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) at admission and discharge as well as the changes in the prevalence, both as a function of the patients’ status and the specialty of the treating physician. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review. Patients admitted with a diagnosis of CAD during a 1-year period were studied. Data were collected on aspirin prescribing prior to admission, aspirin prescribed at discharge, age, gender, insurance status, physician type, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and diabetes. Results: 1,061 charts were reviewed. After adjustment, there was a significantly higher rate of aspirin prescribing prior to admission for male patients [odds ratio (OR) 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.75] and patients with hypercholesterolemia (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.05–1.78). At hospital discharge, there was no significant difference with respect to any of the eight variables of interest. For all patients, the prescribing of aspirin was significantly higher at discharge than prior to hospital admission (85 vs. 69%, p < 0.05). Conclusion: In the present sample, aspirin use in patients with known CAD was higher at hospital discharge. Our results indicate an improvement in the care of patients with known CAD, but this is still suboptimal considering the evidence of benefit.