Abstract

Objectives: Long-term oral anticoagulant therapy may affect patients’ quality of life (QoL), particularly in older adults. This study aimed to evaluate the QoL and identify factors associated with QoL scores among outpatients receiving oral anticoagulants at Thong Nhat Hospital in Vietnam.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from January to March 2025 at Thong Nhat Hospital. Adult outpatients treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were recruited. We assessed QoL score using the validated Vietnamese version of the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L). Demographic, clinical, and medication-related data were obtained through patient interviews and reviewing medical records. Multiple linear regression was conducted to identify factors independently associated with QoL.

Results: Among 198 participants, the median age was 69.5 years (IQR: 63–78) and 62.6% were male. Most patients received DOACs (n = 165), while 33 received VKAs. Atrial fibrillation was the most common indication (89.4%). The mean EQ-5D-5L score was 0.81 ± 0.19. Problems were most frequently reported in pain/discomfort (67.2%) and mobility (52.5%). The mean EQ-5D-5L score did not differ significantly between patients receiving VKA and those receiving DOAC (0.85 ± 0.18 vs. 0.80 ± 0.19; p = 0.18). Female sex (β = −0.06; p = 0.02), non-participation in household activities (β = −0.14; p < 0.01), and polypharmacy (β = −0.06; p = 0.02) were independently associated with lower QoL scores.  A non-vegetarian diet was associated with better QoL scores (β = 0.10; p = 0.03).

Conclusions: Outpatients in Vietnam receiving oral anticoagulants have lower mean EQ-5D scores than the general population. QoL was associated with sex, engagement in household activities, dietary pattern, and polypharmacy. Our findings highlight the need for patient-centred management strategies to improve health-related QoL in this population.