Costs of gastrointestinal bleeding events in atrial fibrillation: a UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink study.

Aim: To estimate the healthcare costs attributable to gastrointestinal (GI) bleeds in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. Material & methods: A difference-in-differences approach was used in which NVAF patients suffering a (GI) bleed were propensity score matched to those not suffering a GI bleed, and the difference in healthcare costs in the year prior to the GI bleed and the subsequent 3 years was compared between the two groups. Results: The mean cost attributable to GI bleeds was £3989 (p < 0.0001) in the year of the bleed and £1816 (p = 0.001) in the subsequent year. Attributable costs arose primarily from inpatient visits. Conclusion: GI bleeds among NVAF patients are associated with significant healthcare costs up to 2 years following the bleed.