Stage 1 Registered Report: sex differences in anticoagulation and stroke outcomes among patients with atrial fibrillation: a registry-based cohort study
Abstract
Women with atrial fibrillation have a higher risk of ischaemic stroke and worse functional outcomes than men but may be less likely to receive adequate anticoagulation. Preliminary single-centre findings in patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion suggest that women may be under-anticoagulated prior to stroke onset. This Stage 1 Registered Report outlines a prespecified analysis plan to test sex-based differences in anticoagulation, stroke characteristics, treatment and outcomes in a prespecified confirmatory population and to explore whether similar patterns are observed at the national level. Using a retrospective cohort design, we will analyse local data from Stavanger University Hospital (2009–22) and national data from the Norwegian Stroke Registry. Confirmatory analyses will include patients with atrial fibrillation and large vessel occlusion treated with endovascular thrombectomy. Sex differences in anticoagulation, stroke severity, treatments and outcomes will be examined using chi-square tests and prespecified regression models; equivalence testing will be applied where appropriate. Exploratory analyses will assess age, comorbidity and healthcare delivery as potential mediators and moderators. No confirmatory analyses have been conducted.
Related
- Anticoagulation Outcomes in Nursing Home Residents With Atrial Fibrillation and ADL Disability
- Warfarin anticoagulation control and risks of cerebral small vessel disease and cognitive impairment among elderly patients with ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation: a retrospective cohort study
- Epidemiology, comorbidity profiles, and oral anticoagulation patterns among patients with atrial fibrillation in Turkey: a meta-analysis of national registry-based and multicenter observational studies.
- Anticoagulation management and valve-related outcomes after mechanical valve implantation in patients with Fontan palliation
- Sex-based differences in the management and outcomes of oesophageal fistula following atrial fibrillation ablation: a subanalysis of the worldwide POTTER-AF study
BibTeX
@article{nygaard2026stage,
title = {{Stage 1 Registered Report: sex differences in anticoagulation and stroke outcomes among patients with atrial fibrillation: a registry-based cohort study}},
author = {Benedikte L Nygaard and Soffien C Ajmi and Camilla J H Normand and Kathinka D Kurz and Lars Fjetland and Friedrich M W Kurz},
journal = {Brain Communications},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/braincomms/fcag386},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcag386},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Stage 1 Registered Report: sex differences in anticoagulation and stroke outcomes among patients with atrial fibrillation: a registry-based cohort study
AU - Benedikte L Nygaard
AU - Soffien C Ajmi
AU - Camilla J H Normand
AU - Kathinka D Kurz
AU - Lars Fjetland
AU - Friedrich M W Kurz
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - Brain Communications
DO - 10.1093/braincomms/fcag386
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcag386
AB - Women with atrial fibrillation have a higher risk of ischaemic stroke and worse functional outcomes than men but may be less likely to receive adequate anticoagulation. Preliminary single-centre findings in patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion suggest that women may be under-anticoagulated prior to stroke onset. This Stage 1 Registered Report outlines a prespecified analysis plan to test sex-based differences in anticoagulation, stroke characteristics, treatment and outcomes in a prespecified confirmatory population and to explore whether similar patterns are observed at the national level. Using a retrospective cohort design, we will analyse local data from Stavanger University Hospital (2009–22) and national data from the Norwegian Stroke Registry. Confirmatory analyses will include patients with atrial fibrillation and large vessel occlusion treated with endovascular thrombectomy. Sex differences in anticoagulation, stroke severity, treatments and outcomes will be examined using chi-square tests and prespecified regression models; equivalence testing will be applied where appropriate. Exploratory analyses will assess age, comorbidity and healthcare delivery as potential mediators and moderators. No confirmatory analyses have been conducted.
SN - 2632-1297
ER -