Table 1. Baseline characteristics.
| Characteristic | All patients N = 25,016 |
|---|---|
| Demographics | |
| Age, mean (SD) | 78 (7.4) |
| Sex (male), n (%) | 14,000 (56.0) |
| Rurala, n (%) | 2,913 (11.6) |
| Index Year, n (%) | |
| 2011 | 5,611 (22.4) |
| 2012 | 2,033 (8.1) |
| 2013 | 3,737 (14.9) |
| 2014 | 4,786 (19.1) |
| 2015 | 4,712 (18.8) |
| 2016 | 3,387 (13.5) |
| 2017 | 750 (3.0) |
| Comorbiditiesb | |
| Atrial fibrillation, n (%) | 3,689 (14.7) |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, n (%) | 2,160 (8.6) |
| Congestive heart failure, n (%) | 5,519 (22.1) |
| Diabetes, n (%) | 16,077 (64.3) |
| Hypertension, n (%) | 23,659 (94.6) |
| Myocardial infarction, n (%) | 2,336 (9.3) |
| Peripheral vascular disease, n (%) | 1,060 (4.2) |
| Kidney Functionc | |
| Serum creatinine (μmol/L), mean (SD) | 254.2 (97.2) |
| eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m2), mean (SD) | 19.9 (6.0) |
| eGFR <15 (mL/min/1.73 m2), n (%) | 5,689 (22.7) |
| Urine albumin creatinine ratio (mg/mmol), mean (SD)d | 96.6 (157.6) |
| Medication Usee | |
| Number of prescribed medications, mean (SD) | 10 (4.8) |
| Colchicine, n (%) | ≤5 (0.0) |
| Lithium, n (%) | 53 (0.2) |
| Spironolactone, n (%) | 1,653 (6.6) |
| Methotrexate, n (%) | 88 (0.4) |
| Fibrates, n (%) | 556 (2.2) |
| Glyburide, n (%) | 662 (2.6) |
| Metformin, n (%) | 2,319 (9.3) |
| Sodium glucose transporter-2 inhibitors, n (%) | 14 (0.1) |
| Ciprofloxacin, n (%) | 1,497 (6.0) |
| Levofloxacin, n (%) | 462 (1.8) |
| Nitrofurantoin, n (%) | 605 (2.4) |
| Baclofen, n (%) | 124 (0.5) |
| Valacyclovir or acyclovir, n (%) | 143 (0.6) |
| Digoxin, n (%) | 0 (0.0) |
| Pregabalin, n (%) | 645 (2.6) |
| Gabapentin, n (%) | 931 (3.7) |
| Morphine, n (%) | 211 (0.8) |
| Codeine, n (%) | 2,533 (10.1) |
| Duloxetine | 17 (0.1) |
| Peripheral alpha-blockers, n (%) | 3,974 (15.9) |
| Alpha agonists, n (%) | 468 (1.9) |
| Tricyclic anti-depressants, n (%) | 791 (3.2) |
| Paroxetine, n (%) | 276 (1.1) |
| Benzodiazepines, n (%) | 2,936 (11.7) |
| Proton pump inhibitors, n (%) | 10,471 (41.9) |
| Metoclopramide, n (%) | 128 (0.5) |
| Skeletal muscle relaxants, n (%) | 0 (0.0) |
| First generation antihistamines, n (%) | 8 (0.0) |
| Anti-arrhythmic drugs, n (%) | 950 (3.8) |
| Anti-psychotics, n (%) | 253 (1.0) |
| Direct oral anticoagulants, n (%) | 533 (2.1) |
| Statins, n (%) | 17,595 (70.3) |
aRural is defined as residing in a location with a population of ≤10,000 individuals.
bComorbidities in the 5 years prior to index date were considered.
cLaboratory measurements in the year prior to index date were considered, using the most recent value. eGFR was determined using the CKD-EPI equation.
dMissing values, n = 7,986 (32%)
ePrescriptions dispensed in the 120 days prior to index date were considered.
*In accordance with ICES privacy policies, cell sizes less than or equal to five cannot be reported.