Patient-reported outcomes and visual acuity after 12 months of anti-VEGF-treatment for sight-threatening diabetic macular edema in a real world setting. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Granström, Therese; Forsman, Henrietta; Lindholm Olinder, Anna; Gkretsis, Dimitrios; Eriksson, Jan W.; Granstam, Elisabet; Leksell, Janeth
• Is Part Of: Diabetes research and clinical practice. Volume 121(2016)
• Page Start: 157
• Page End: 165
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Patient-reported measurements -- Diabetic macular edema -- Anti-VEGF treatment -- Visual function; Diabetes -- Periodicals; Diabetes Mellitus -- Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2016.09.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-8227

Abstract

Highlights: This was a 12-month evaluation of anti-VEGF-treatment for diabetic macular edema. Improvement in visual acuity was observed in 50% of patients. NEI VFQ-25 scores were significantly improved among patients with improved vision. High HbA1c level at baseline may affect treatment outcome. Abstract: Aims: To examine objective visual acuity measured with ETDRS, retinal thickness (OCT), patient reported outcome and describe levels of glycated hemoglobin and its association with the effects on visual acuity in patients treated with anti-VEGF for visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME) during 12 months in a real world setting. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 58 patients (29 females and 29 males; mean age, 68 years) with type 1 and type 2 diabetes diagnosed with DME were included. Medical data and two questionnaires were collected; an eye-specific (NEI VFQ-25) and a generic health-related quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) were used. Results: The total patient group had significantly improved visual acuity and reduced retinal thickness at 4 months and remains at 12 months follow up. Thirty patients had significantly improved visual acuity, and 27 patients had no improved visual acuity at 12 months. The patients with improved visual acuity had significantly improved scores for NEI VFQ-25 subscales including general health, general vision, near activities, distance activities, and composite score, but no significant changes in scores were found in the group without improvements in visual acuity. Conclusions: Our study revealed that anti-VEGF treatment improved visual acuity and central retinal thickness as well as patient-reported outcome in real world 12 months after treatment start.