# Real-world management, resource use, patient-reported outcomes and adherence in patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants for first stroke attributed to non-valvular atrial fibrillation in secondary care: A UK mixed-methods observational study

## TL;DR

This study examines how patients with atrial fibrillation manage their treatment with direct oral anticoagulants after a first stroke, focusing on real-world outcomes and satisfaction.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into patient adherence and satisfaction with DOACs in real-world post-stroke care settings.

## Key findings

- 73% and 83% of patients showed high medication adherence at 3 and 6 months post-DOAC initiation.
- No patients reported dissatisfaction with DOAC treatment at 3 or 6 months post-initiation.
- 50% of patients had at least one outpatient visit related to atrial fibrillation or DOACs.

## Abstract

This real-world study investigated the patient-related factors, characteristics, and outcomes of adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) receiving a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) for secondary stroke prevention. This was a multi-centre, mixed-methods, non-interventional study conducted in 8 UK secondary care National Health Service centres. The study included adult patients who presented with first ischaemic stroke associated with NVAF without previous anticoagulants. Group 1 included all patients. Group 2 is comprised of prospectively enrolled patients who were initiated on apixaban (n = 49), edoxaban (n = 39) or rivaroxaban (n = 5) post-first stroke from Group 1. The primary objective (Group 1) was to describe patients’ demographics, clinical characteristics, and medical history, stratified by the anticoagulant prescribed. The secondary objectives (Group 2) were to describe the patient management pathways, hospital resource use and clinical assessments associated with DOAC treatment, and the patient-reported satisfaction and experience of DOAC treatment. 234 patients were recruited from 8 centres (Group 1). Baseline CHA2DS2-VASc risk scores ranged from 2–7; 70% (157/224) had a score of ≥4. 86% (n = 202/234) of patients presented with stroke at accident and emergency. For Group 2, the median time from stroke to first DOAC dose was 6 (IQR, 2.0–10.2; n = 88) days; 50% patients had ≥ 1 outpatient visit recorded related to AF or DOACs. At 3 and 6 months, 73% (46/63) and 83% (43/52) had high (score of 8) Morisky Medication Adherence Scale score (MMAS-8), respectively. No patients reported being dissatisfied at 3 or 6 months post-DOAC initiation. The study findings demonstrate high levels of adherence, persistence, and treatment satisfaction in the 6 months post-initiation of DOAC after first stroke attributable to NVAF in patients. The presented results provide clinicians with valuable insights into the experience of post-stroke patients with NVAF receiving treatment with a DOAC for secondary prevention of stroke during the 6 months post-stroke.