Open AccessTime trends in use of the CHADS 2 and CHA 2 DS 2 VAS c scores, and the geographical and specialty uptake of these scores from a popular online clinical decision tool and medical reference
Author(s) -
Habboushe Joseph,
Altman Caroline,
Lip Gregory Y. H.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/ijcp.13280
Subject(s) - medicine , calculator , specialty , health care , family medicine , computer science , economics , economic growth , operating system
Summary Background The impact of the utilisation of such e‐health approaches, including mH ealth (use of mobile phones and other wireless technology in the delivery of medical care) assessments of health parameters, or the use of decision aids and online risk calculators over time have not been previously described. The objective of this analysis is to assess the time trends in use of the CHADS 2 and CHA 2 DS 2 VAS c scores in e‐health, and the geographical and specialty uptake of these scores, using data gleaned from a popular online clinical decision tool and medical reference, MDC alc. We hypothesised that the change in use of the scores would reflect the changes in guidelines and trends in clinical practice. Results The CHA 2 DS 2 VAS c score was the 20th most popular calculator in 2012, rising to the second most popular calculator in 2018; the CHADS 2 score showed the converse, dropping from no. 3 to no. 22. Use of the CHA 2 DS 2 VAS c scores particularly increased in the United States, Canada and Australia over time while the United Kingdom experienced a greater traffic share in 2015. The majority users of the CHADS 2 and CHA 2 DS 2 VAS c scores were primary care physicians, with cardiologists being in the minority; the proportion of cardiologists was greater outside USA , compared to within USA . Conclusion Over time, use of the CHA 2 DS 2 VAS c score increased, while use of the CHADS 2 score decreased. The change in uptake could partly be related to introduction of guidelines recommending the use of the CHA 2 DS 2 VAS c score for stroke risk stratification.