Despite simpler regimens than vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF), adherence (taking drugs as prescribed) and persistence (continuation of drugs) to direct oral anticoagulants are suboptimal, yet understudied in electronic health records (EHRs).This article is available to NHS staff via NHS OpenAthens. Click on the Publisher URL and log in with NHS OpenAthens username and password if prompted.