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Effects of treatment interruption on anatomical and functional status of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration receiving anti-VEGF therapy
- Authors: Kharakozov A.S.1, Kulikov A.N.1, Maltsev D.S.1
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Affiliations:
- S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy
- Issue: Vol 14, No 1 (2021)
- Pages: 35-42
- Section: Original researches
- URL: https://journals.eco-vector.com/ov/article/view/59966
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/OV59966
- ID: 59966
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Abstract
AIM: To study anatomical and functional changes in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) receiving anti-VEGF therapy and experienced treatment interruption during COVID pandemic.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 58 eyes (49 patients, 34 males and 15 females with a mean age of 73.2 ± 9.4 years) with nAMD. Eyes in the first-year treatment group (18 eyes) received up to 7 intravitreal aflibercept injections, eyes in the second-year treatment group (21 eyes) were treated with pro re nata regimen. The treatment interruption period in the first and second-year treatment group was 5.5 ± 0.7 and 5.5 ± 1.0 months, respectively.
RESULTS: Over the treatment interruption period, the first-year treatment group showed no statistically significant differences in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT), p = 0.25 and p = 0.09, respectively. At the same time, the second-year treatment group showed a statistically significant decrease in BCVA (p = 0.0004) and an increase in CRT (p = 0.002). Baseline BCVA was positively associated with BCVA at the end of treatment interruption (r = 0.82; p < 0.0001). Presence of sub- and intraretinal fluid (p = 0.015 and p = 0.007, respectively), low BCVA (p < 0.0001), high CRT (p = 0.019), alteration of the ellipsoid zone (p < 0.001) were negatively associated with BCVA at the end of treatment interruption. Age (p = 0.8), gender (p = 0.41), and the number of intravitreal injections (p = 0.5) showed no association with changes in BCVA.
CONCLUSIONS: NAMD patients of the second year of anti-VEGF therapy appear to have a higher risk of functional loss during treatment interruption. Higher CRT and lower BCVA, as well as sub- and intraretinal fluid before treatment interruption, are associated with poorer functional status at the end of the interruption period.
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About the authors
Alexandr S. Kharakozov
S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy
Author for correspondence.
Email: kharakozoff@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4598-0826
SPIN-code: 1208-5237
graduated
Russian Federation, 6 Aсademiс Lebedev str., Saint Petersburg, 194044Alexey N. Kulikov
S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy
Email: alexey.kulikov@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5274-6993
SPIN-code: 6440-7706
Scopus Author ID: 57001225300
ResearcherId: M-2094-2016
MD, PhD, Dr. Sci. (Med.)
Russian Federation, 6 Aсademiс Lebedev str., Saint Petersburg, 194044Dmitrii S. Maltsev
S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy
Email: glaz.med@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6598-3982
MD, PhD
Russian Federation, 6 Aсademiс Lebedev str., Saint Petersburg, 194044References
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