Treatment preferences as basis for decision making in patients using direct oral anticoagulants in Spain

Treatment preferences are considered a relevant decision-making driver by the main atrial fibrillation (AF) guidelines. Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs), considered as similar clinically, have administration differences useful for treatment individualization. Preferences, priorities and satisfaction of DOAC users were assessed through an observational, multicentric (25 hospitals), cross-sectional study including adult AF-patients (and/or caregivers) in Spain. Three study groups were considered according to DOAC posology preferences: (A) once-daily, with water; (B) once-daily, with food; (C) twice-daily. Overall, 332 patients and 55 caregivers were included. Mean (SD) age was 73.7 (10.7) years [58.7 (13.9) for caregivers]; 51.5% women [69.1% for caregivers]; 80.7% showed comorbidities and poly-pharmacy [6.6 (3.3) drugs/day]. No statistically significant differences were shown among study groups. Once-daily administration was preferred by 274 patients (82.5%) [60.8% (Group A); 21.7% (Group B); 17.5% (Group C)], and 47 caregivers (85.5%) [58.2% (Group A); 27.3% (Group B); 14.5% (Group C)]. Once-daily DOACs were prescribed in 42.8% of the patients. Bleeding risk was the main concern for both, patients and caregivers, followed by DOAC posology and interactions. Although treatment satisfaction (patients and caregivers) was high (9.0 and 9.1 points, respectively), match between individual treatment preferences and real prescriptions was only shown in 41.0% of AF-patients, evidencing a need for patient involvement on treatment decision-making. There is not a patient profile linked to treatment preferences, and clinical criteria must be the main driver for decision-making. However, for most AF-patients (elderly patients), aged, with comorbidity, poly-pharmacy and high cardiovascular risk, once-daily DOACs would be the preferred option. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11239-020-02194-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.