Patient Preferences in Anticoagulation Treatment: A Review of Discrete Choice Experiments

Patient engagement is expected to improve the safety and efficacy of anticoagulant medication. By identifying the factors and patient characteristics influencing patients' decisions regarding anticoagulant medication, we aim to support healthcare professionals regarding patient engagement. This review of discrete choice experiments (DCEs) explores the considerations and preferences of patients with various underlying conditions when choosing their anticoagulant medication. Two international databases were searched in March 2024: PubMed and Web of Science Core Collection. The search was updated in July 2025. Eligible studies included original DCE studies that explored the considerations and preferences of patients and covered long-term anticoagulant use beyond the hospital setting (direct oral anticoagulants, vitamin K antagonists, antiplatelet agents, and low molecular weight heparins). The initial search identified a total of 174 records, after which two authors independently assessed the articles for both the title and abstract and the full-text inclusion rounds. After the update, this resulted in the inclusion of 13 articles. The PRISMA 2020 statement was followed and the quality of the included studies was assessed. The results show that overall patients prioritize safety and effectiveness of anticoagulants over convenience factors. If only convenience factors were taken into account, frequency of administration emerges as the most important. Subgroup analysis showed that patient preferences vary based on geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic factors, health status, as well as previous experiences with anticoagulation medication or related health issues. By acknowledging the impact of these diverse factors on patient preferences, healthcare professionals can better support safe and effective anticoagulant care tailored to the needs of individual patients.