Postthrombotic Syndrome in Patients Treated With Rivaroxaban or Warfarin for Venous Thromboembolism

Postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a frequent complication of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Using MarketScan claims data from January 2012 to June 2015, we identified adults with a primary diagnosis code for VTE during a hospitalization/emergency department visit, 6 months of insurance coverage prior to the index event and newly started on rivaroxaban or warfarin within 30 days of the index VTE. Patients with <4-month follow-up postindex event or a claim for any anticoagulant during 6-month baseline period were excluded. Differences in baseline characteristics between rivaroxaban and warfarin users were adjusted for using inverse probability of treatment weights based on propensity scores. Patients were followed for the development of PTS starting 3 months after the index VTE. Cox regression was performed and reported as hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In total, 10 463 rivaroxaban and 26 494 warfarin users were followed for a mean of 16 +/- 9 (range, 4-39) months. Duration of anticoagulation was similar between cohorts (median = 6 months). Rivaroxaban was associated with a 23% (95% CI: 16-30) reduced hazard of PTS versus warfarin. Rivaroxaban was associated with a significant risk reduction in symptoms of PTS compared to warfarin in patients with VTE treated in routine practice.