Clinical Ophthalmology (Mar 2020)

Factors Affecting Compliance to Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema in a Cohort of Jordanian Patients

  • Abu-Yaghi NE,
  • Abed AM,
  • Khlaifat DF,
  • Nawaiseh MB,
  • Emoush LO,
  • AlHajjaj HZ,
  • Abojaradeh AM,
  • Hattar MN,
  • Abusaleem SK,
  • Sabbagh HM,
  • Abu Gharbieh YA,
  • Quaqazeh SA

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 14
pp. 921 – 929

Abstract

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Nakhleh E Abu-Yaghi,1 Alaa M Abed,1 Dana F Khlaifat,2 Mohammed B Nawaiseh,2 Laith O Emoush,2 Heba Z AlHajjaj,2 Ala M Abojaradeh,2 Mariana N Hattar,2 Sura K Abusaleem,2 Hashem M Sabbagh,1 Yazan A Abu Gharbieh,1 Sura A Quaqazeh2 1Department of Special Surgery, Ophthalmology Division, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; 2School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, JordanCorrespondence: Nakhleh E Abu-YaghiThe University of Jordan, P.O. Box 7599, Amman 11118, JordanTel +962 798504937Email [email protected]: To determine compliance rates and characteristics and to investigate factors affecting patients’ adherence to treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGFs) for diabetic macular edema (DME) in a cohort of Jordanian patients.Methods: A retrospective case series wherein the files of DME patients treated with anti-VEGFs were reviewed and analyzed for factors affecting treatment compliance was undertaken. Demographic, clinical and ocular characteristics were recorded. All patients were also interviewed by phone using a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine factors associated with compliance.Results: A total of 117 patients (65 males 52 females) were included in this study with a mean age of 62.93 years (± 9.75). Approximately, 85% of patients were compliant to their treatment and follow-up plan during the first year of management. Subjective perception of visual improvement after receiving three loading doses was the only independent variable with a unique statistically significant contribution to compliance. All other studied factors in this group of patients were not significantly associated with patient compliance.Conclusion: VEGF suppression via the intravitreal route to treat DME is a long-term process that requires caregiver dedication but also proper patient compliance. Addressing real-life barriers in those patients may help guide future strategies to improve the treatment experience, lower the financial burden and contribute to better outcomes. Patients’ perceptions of possible treatment outcomes at the short term may influence their long-term commitment to therapy.Keywords: diabetic macular edema, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, retinopathy, compliance  

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