Full-dose versus reduced-dose comparison of direct oral anticoagulants for extended treatment of venous thromboembolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

For patients requiring extended anticoagulation therapy, clinicians often prescribe reduced-dose direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) rather than full-dose, which may be related to concerns about the higher bleeding risk associated with full-dose DOACs, despite potentially better efficacy in preventing VTE recurrence. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the net clinical benefit of reduced-dose DOACs versus full-dose DOACs in extended anticoagulation therapy.

Methods

This study has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO identifier: CRD420251089110). A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from their inception to 30 June 2025. Data extraction was done independently and in

SUBMITTER: Zhang R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12711545 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature