Venous Thromboembolism

Inclusion Criteria

-  At least one new diagnosis of VTE during the inclusion period:
    - Ambulatory diagnosis, coded as verified,
    - Primary hospital discharge diagnosis.
    - Secondary hospital discharge diagnosis
    The quarter of the first VTE diagnosis in the inclusion period will be defined as the index quarter. For hospital diagnoses,
    the date of admission will be used to define the index quarter.
 -  The 12 months prior to the index date will define the baseline period for all included patients. Patients treated with 
    anticoagulation regimens other than defined above (e.g. other DOACs) will not be included in the study. All patients will
    have to fulfill the additional inclusion criteria:
    - Continuous enrolment in the baseline period 
    - ≥ 18 years of age at index date

Exclusion Criteria

-  A verified ambulatory or primary/ secondary hospital discharge diagnosis of VTE in the baseline period;
 -  A verified ambulatory or primary/ secondary hospital discharge diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in the baseline period; 
    Individuals with documented cardiac valve surgery in the baseline period;
 -  A verified ambulatory or primary/ secondary hospital discharge diagnosis indicating pregnancy in the baseline period;
 -  A prescription of any anticoagulation treatment (heparins; vitamin-K antagonists; rivaroxaban; other DOACs) in the
    baseline period;
 -  A verified ambulatory or primary/ secondary hospital discharge diagnosis of end-stage kidney disease or a claim for
    dialysis in the baseline period;
 -  A prescription of contraindicated drug for rivaroxaban due to drug interactions (i.e. azole antifungals and HIV protease
    inhibitors) in the 60 days before or on the index date.
 -  Patients assigned to rivaroxaban exposure groups who were initially treated with a dose strength other than 15 mg or 20
    mg per tablet.