Researchers are extensively searching for modifiable risk factors including 
high-risk medications such as anticoagulation to avoid rehospitalisation. The 
influence of oral anticoagulant therapy on hospital readmission is not known. We 
investigated the impact of warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) on 
all cause 30-day hospital readmission retrospectively in an academic centre. We 
study the eligible cohort of 1781 discharges over 2-year period. Data on age, 
gender, diagnoses, 30-day hospital readmission, discharge medications and 
variables in the HOSPITAL score (Haemoglobin level at discharge, Oncology at 
discharge, Sodium level at discharge, Procedure during hospitalisation, Index 
admission, number of hospital Admissions, Length of stay) and LACE index (Length 
of stay, Acute/emergent admission, Charlson comorbidity index score, Emergency 
department visits in previous 6 months), which have higher predictability for 
readmission were extracted and matched for analysis. Warfarin was the most 
common anticoagulant prescribed at discharge (273 patients) with a readmission 
rate of 20% (p<0.01). DOACs were used by 94 patients at discharge with a 
readmission rate of 4% (p=0.219). Multivariate logistic regression showed an 
increased risk of readmission with warfarin therapy (OR 1.36, p=0.045). Logistic 
regression did not show DOACs to be a risk factor for hospital readmission. Our 
data suggests that warfarin therapy is a risk factor for all-cause 30-day 
hospital readmission. DOAC therapy is not found to be associated with a higher 
risk of hospital readmission. Warfarin anticoagulation may be an important 
target for interventions to reduce hospital readmissions.