Costs and Quality of Life in Diabetic Macular Edema: Canadian Burden of Diabetic Macular Edema Observational Study (C-REALITY). (25th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gonder, John R.; Walker, Valery M.; Barbeau, Martin; Zaour, Nancy; Zachau, Bryan H.; Hartje, James R.; Li, Ruihong
• Other Names: Macky Tamer A. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of ophthalmology. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-03-25
• Subjects: Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Eye Diseases; Ophthalmology; Ophthalmology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/939315
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-004X

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose . To characterize the economic and quality of life burden of diabetic macular edema (DME) in Canadian patients. Patients and Methods . 145 patients with DME were followed for 6 months with monthly telephone interviews and medical chart reviews at months 0, 3, and 6. Visual acuity in the worst-seeing eye was assessed at months 0 and 6. DME-related healthcare costs were determined over 6 months, and vision-related (National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire) and generic (EQ-5D) quality of life was assessed at months 0, 3, and 6. Results . Mean age of patients was 63.7 years: 52% were male and 72% had bilateral DME. At baseline, visual acuity was categorized as normal/mild loss for 63.4% of patients, moderate loss for 10.4%, and severe loss/nearly blind for 26.2%. Mean 6-month DME-related costs/patient were as follows: all patients (n = 135 ), $2, 092; normal/mild loss (n = 88 ), $1, 776; moderate loss (n = 13 ), $1, 845; and severe loss/nearly blind (n = 34 ), $3, 007. Composite scores for vision-related quality of life declined with increasing visual acuity loss; generic quality of life scores were highest for moderate loss and lowest for severe loss/nearly blind. Conclusions . DME-related costs in the Canadian healthcare system are substantial. Costs increased and vision-related quality of life declined with increasing visual acuity severity.