Quality-adjusted life years in macular oedema due to age-related macular degeneration, diabetes and central retinal vein occlusion: the impact of anti-VEGF agents in a tertiary centre in Greece

INTRODUCTION

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular oedema (DME), and macular oedema due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) are leading causes of vision loss, currently managed with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections (anti-VEGF). The aim of this study was to calculate QALYs in patients with nAMD, DME, and CRVO treated with anti-VEGF agents (QALYs⁺) in a Greek tertiary hospital setting and compare them to theoretical QALYs that the patients would have without treatment (QALYs^-).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 143 treatment-naive patients with macular oedema due to nAMD (n = 79), DME (n = 57), and CRVO (n = 7), who received anti-VEGF injections as monotherapy according to the Treat-and-Extend (T&E) protocol. The anti-VEGF agents were ranibizumab and aflibercept in equivalent fractions. QALYs where calculated by the formula QALY = Utility Value × Time, where "Time" refers to the follow-up period of the study. For QALYs^-, we assumed that visual acuity remained unchanged during this period.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up time was 1.3 ± 1.2 years in the nAMD group, 1 ± 1.3 years in the DME group, and 0.5 ± 1 years in the CRVO group. There was no statistically significant difference between QALYs^- and QALYs⁺ in all three ocular pathologies for the study period (p > 0.05 for each of the three statistical tests performed).

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Possible explanations for the lack of significant difference between QALYs - and QALYs + in nAMD, DME, and CRVO groups, may be the short time horizon used in this analysis, the inclusion of data from the better-seeing eye (BSE) and the specific socio-economic, geographical and health care characteristics of this rural Greek area.