Characteristics of Patients Who Drop Out From Ranibizumab Therapy.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Pharmacotherapy

Background:

• Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is a standard first-line treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
• Frequent clinic visits and intravitreal injections associated with anti-VEGF therapy can pose a significant burden on patients.
• Understanding factors influencing treatment adherence is crucial for managing chronic eye conditions like AMD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the dropout rate of ranibizumab therapy in a real-world clinical setting.
• To identify patient characteristics associated with discontinuation of anti-VEGF treatment for AMD.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective case-control study was conducted.
• Data from 250 eyes treated with anti-VEGF therapy for choroidal neovascular membranes were analyzed.
• Patient demographics, distance from clinic, and presence of systemic diseases were compared between patients who dropped out and those who continued treatment.

Main Results:

• The overall dropout rate from ranibizumab therapy was 34.5%.
• Patients living more than 100 km from the clinic had a significantly higher dropout rate (50.0%) compared to those living within 100 km (28.0%).
• Patients with no other systemic diseases exhibited a higher dropout rate (48.7%) than those with comorbidities.

Conclusions:

• Geographical distance from the clinic and lack of comorbidities are significant factors associated with higher dropout rates in ranibizumab therapy for AMD.
• The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve patient follow-up and treatment adherence.
• Addressing patient-related barriers is essential for optimizing outcomes in the management of blinding eye diseases.