Effectiveness of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors in neovascular age-related macular degeneration and variables associated with visual acuity outcomes: Results from the EAGLE study
Objective To assess the overall effectiveness of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in treatment-naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in a clinical practice setting. Study design EAGLE was a retrospective, 2-year, cohort observational, multicenter study conducted in Italy that analyzed secondary data of treatment-naïve patients with nAMD. The primary endpoint evaluated the mean annualized number of anti-VEGF injections at Years 1 and 2. The main secondary endpoints analyzed the mean change in visual acuity (VA) from baseline and variables associated with visual outcomes at Years 1 and 2. Results Of the 752 patients enrolled, 745 (99.07…
Intravitreal dexamethasone implant one month before versus concomitant with cataract surgery in patients with diabetic macular oedema: the dexcat study
Purpose: To report clinical outcomes of two different timings of intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant administration for prevention of diabetic macular oedema (DME) worsening following cataract surgery. Methods: This multicentre, retrospective study included patients with DME who received an intravitreal DEX implant 1 month before cataract surgery, ‘precataract DEX’ group, or at the time of cataract surgery, ‘concomitant treatments’ group. Inclusion criteria were a follow-up ≥3 months and ophthalmological examination with optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging at baseline (cataract surgery) and throughout follow-up. Anatomical improvement was considered to be a decrease in OCT centr…
Real-life patient journey in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a narrative medicine analysis in the Italian setting
Objectives To investigate the real-life experience of patients affected by neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), in the healthcare pathway for the management of the disease, using a "patient journey" and narrative method approach. Methods The patient journey of subjects affected by nAMD was designed using a process-mapping methodology involving a team from 11 Italian centres. Subsequently, narratives were collected from nAMD patients and family members. The interviews were analyzed using the narrative medicine methodology. Results Eleven specialized retina centres across Italy were involved and 205 narratives collected. In 29% of cases, patients underestimated their symptoms …
The Narrative Medicine Approach in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema: An Italian Experience.
The study retraces the healthcare pathway of patients affected by diabetic macular edema (DME) through the direct voice of patients and caregivers by using a “patient journey” and narrative method approach. The mapping of the patient’s journey was developed by a multidisciplinary board of health professionals and involved four Italian retina centers. DME patients on intravitreal injection therapy and caregivers were interviewed according to the narrative medicine approach. Narratives were analyzed through a quali-quantitative tool, as set by the narrative medicine method. The study involved four specialized retina centers in Italy and collected a total of 106 narratives, 8…