Different glomerular filtration rate estimating formula for prescribing DOACs in oldest patients: appropriate dosage and bleeding risk. Post hoc analysis of a prospective cohort

BACKGROUND: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) pharmacokinetics depends on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), whose estimation is crucial for optimal risk/benefit balance. AIMS: To assess the concordance among different eGFR formulas and the potential impact on DOACs prescription appropriateness and bleeding risk in oldest hospitalized patients. METHODS: Post hoc analysis of a single-centre prospective cohort study. eGFR was calculated by creatinine-based (MDRD, CKD-EPI(Cr), BIS(1)) and creatinine–cystatin-C-based (CKD-EPI(Comb) and BIS(2)) formulas. Patients were stratified according to eGFR [severely depressed (SD) 15–29; moderately depressed (MD) 30–49; preserved/mildly depressed (PMD): ≥ 50 ml/min/1.73 m(2)]. Concordance between the different equations was assessed by Cohen’s kappa coefficient. RESULTS: Among AF patients, 841 (59.2% women, mean age 85.9 ± 6.5 years) received DOACs. By CKD-EPI(Cr) equation, 135 patients were allocated in the SD, 255 in the MD and 451 in the PMD group. The concordance was excellent only between BIS 2 and CKD-EPI(Comb) and MDRD and CKD-EPI(Cr), while was worse (from good to poor) between the other formulas. Indeed, by adding cystatin-C almost over 1/3 of the patients were reallocated to a worse eGFR class. Bleeding prevalence increased by 2–3% in patients with discordant eGFR between formulas, reallocated to a worse chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage, although without reaching statistical significance. CKD-EPI(Comb) resulted the best predictor of bleeding events (AUROC 0.71, p = 0.03). DISCUSSION: This study highlights the variability in CKD staging according to different eGFR formulas, potentially determining inappropriate DOACs dosing. Although the cystatin-C derived CKDEPI(Comb) equation is the most accurate for stratifying patients, BIS(1) may represent a reliable alternative. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40520-021-01986-w.