Socio-economic status and outcomes for patients with age-related macular degeneration

To explore disparities in severity of baseline disease, treatment completion, and treatment outcomes among patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy by socio-economic status (SES) and distance from home to hospital.

Retrospective cohort study.

Data from clinic records of 756 wet AMD patients receiving treatment for wet AMD with aflibercept between May 2013 and Jan 2017 were obtained. Area SES (using Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2015) and distance from hospital (dichotomized > = 10 vs. <10 km) were derived from anonymized postcodes. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify associations of area deprivation and distance from hospital at baseline-with visual acuity (VA) at baseline-treatment completion, and treatment outcome.

Living in the most deprived compared with less deprived areas was associated with a significantly higher risk of presenting with severe reduction in VA (OR = 3.59; 95% CI = 1.39-9.27; P = .01). This association was maintained after adjustment for age, gender, and distance from hospital. On univariate analysis, delayed treatment completion was more likely in those living in most deprived areas (OR = 2.80; 95% CI = 1.21-6.47; P = .04), though this association was attenuated after adjustment for age, gender, and distance from hospital. No association was observed between SES and treatment outcomes or between distance from hospital and baseline VA, treatment completion or treatment outcome.

This study found poorer baseline VA among people with wet AMD from more deprived areas. This work suggests a need for earlier identification of AMD among more deprived populations.