Real-world study shows benefits, unmet needs in anti-VEGF therapy in nAMD

A real-world study from Thailand on the use of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in the management of wet age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) noted significant improvement in outcomes but unmet needs including treatment adherence concerns and persistent disease activities.

In this multicenter retrospective study, the medical records of treatment naïve patients with nAMD who received ≥1 were analyzed anti-VEGF treatment were included. A total of 572 eyes were included, with 222 completing a 2-year follow-up period and 96 completing a 3-year follow-up period.

At 12 months, the mean improvement of VA (ETDRS letter was 6 letters and central retinal thickness (CRT) decreased on average by 104 microns. At 36 months, visual improvement by 0.1 letters did not show statistical significance.

At months 12, 24, and 36, the presence of fluid was found in 45.98%, 48.85%, and 50.91% of eyes, respectively. At these time periods, the mean number of injections (SD) was 6.06 (3.00), 3.44 (2.94), and 2.71 (3.07), respectively. During the first year, the mean number of visits was 9.01 (2.60), which declined in year 2 to 5.67 (2.69) and again in year 3 to 4.93 (2.49).

Approximately 74% of patients had an average injection interval of ≤8 weeks during the first year, 51.28% in the second year, and 45.24% in the third year. Approximately 35% of patients were lost to follow-up.

Reference
Thoongsuwan S, Hanutsaha P, Chantarasorn Y, et al. Treatment Outcome of Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration Management in Thailand: A Retrospective Real-World Study (TOWER Study). Ophthalmol Ther. 2022;doi: 10.1007/s40123-022-00471-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35149964.