Direct oral anticoagulants versus warfarin in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

• Published in: Lupus 2022-10, Vol.31 (11), p.1335-1343
• Main Authors: Lee, Young H, Song, Gwan G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anticoagulants; Antiphospholipid syndrome; Autoimmune diseases; Bleeding; Clinical trials; Meta-analysis; Patients; Thrombosis; Warfarin
• ISSN: 0961-2033; 1477-0962
• DOI: 10.1177/09612033221118463

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus warfarin in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Methods We performed a literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. We also performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effectiveness and safety of DOACs versus warfarin in patients with APS. Results Five RCTs involving 648 patients with APS (330 in DOAC-treated and 318 in control groups) were included in the meta-analysis. Among the patients included in the analysis, 29 (8.8%) patients experienced recurrent thrombosis in the DOAC treatment group, and 10 patients (3.1%) had thrombosis recurrence in the warfarin treatment group, resulting in a higher incidence in DOAC-treated than in the warfarin-treated groups [odds ratio (OR) = 2.163, 95% CI = 0.985–4.748, p = 0.055]. Incidence of arterial thrombosis was significantly higher in DOAC-treated patients than in warfarin-treated patients (OR = 5.168, 95% CI = 1.567–17.04, p = 0.007). Stroke and thrombosis occurrences were significantly higher in the triple positivity group than in the warfarin therapy group (OR = 12.03, 95% CI = 2.249–64.36, p = 0.004; OR = 2.940, 95% CI = 1.016–8.504, p = 0.047). However, venous thrombosis occurrences did not differ significantly between the DOAC-treated and warfarin-treated groups. There were no significant differences between the DOAC and warfarin groups in terms of any bleeding, major bleeding, minor bleeding, and all-cause mortality. Conclusion DOACs were associated with higher rates of arterial thrombosis than warfarin in patients with APS, especially in the triple-positive group. However, a higher risk of recurrent venous thrombosis was not found in APS patients treated with DOACs compared to those treated with warfarin.