Reasons for discontinuation of intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors in neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Retina. 2014 Sep;34(9):1774-8. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000000173.

Abstract

Background: This study was aimed to identify the reasons for discontinuing intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of a single Australian private practice. Analysis included patients who discontinued treatment from March 2006 to June 2012.

Results: Of 248 patients who commenced treatment, 105 (42.3%) had discontinued by June 2012. The reasons for discontinuation were available for 102 of the 105 (97.1%) patients. In 9 (3.6%) patients of the entire cohort, the doctor stopped the treatment as the lesion became inactive, whereas further treatment was thought to be futile in 27 (10.9%) patients. Twenty-six (10.5%) patients declined further treatment with 2 (0.8%) because of excessive treatment visits, 2 (0.8%) because of difficulty in attending, 2 (0.8%) because of the expense, 3 (1.2%) because of pain/discomfort, 6 (2.4%) thought that the treatment was not beneficial, and 11 (4.4%) had other medical conditions that were more severe. Treatment was discontinued in 40 (16.1%) patients for other reasons such as moving to another region in 27 (10.9%) and death in 11 (4.4%).

Conclusion: These results indicate that the burden of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections was a reason for treatment discontinuation in only a small minority of patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ranibizumab
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Visual Acuity / physiology
  • Wet Macular Degeneration / drug therapy*
  • Withholding Treatment / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Ranibizumab