Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 24, 2025
05:14
Author Spotlight: Overcoming Anti-VEGF Resistance Through Advanced Vascular Morphology Assessment in Choroidal Neovascularization
Published on: August 11, 2023
1.4K
Systemic Factors Associated with Treatment Response in Diabetic Macular Edema
Wendy Meihua Wong1, Caroline Chee1, Mayuri Bhargava1
1National University Hospital, Singapore.
Journal of Ophthalmology
|April 14, 2020
Summary
Diabetic macular edema patients with better blood sugar control (HbA1c ≤7%) showed greater reduction in macular thickness after anti-VEGF therapy. Strict glucose control may improve treatment response.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Endocrinology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss in diabetic patients.
- Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy is a standard treatment for DME.
- Systemic factors influencing anti-VEGF treatment response in DME require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify systemic factors associated with treatment response in patients with diabetic macular edema receiving anti-VEGF therapy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 33 patients with center-involving DME undergoing anti-VEGF injections.
- Assessed changes in macular thickness via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) one month post-treatment.
- Collected baseline data on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), VEGF levels, lipid profile, renal function, and blood pressure.
Main Results:
- Lower HbA1c levels (≤7%) were significantly associated with a greater reduction in central macular subfield thickness.
- This association was observed in both univariate and multivariate analyses (p=0.012).
Conclusions:
- Improved glycemic control is linked to enhanced reduction in macular thickness following initial anti-VEGF treatment for DME.
- Patients with high HbA1c and suboptimal response may benefit from intensified blood glucose management.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview
2.7K
When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
2.7K
01:15Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
785
The therapy for diabetes aims to alleviate hyperglycemia-related symptoms, prevent acute metabolic decompensation, and reduce chronic end-organ complications. Glycemic control is evaluated through short-term (self-monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring) and long-term (A1c, fructosamine) metrics, enabling near real-time tracking of blood glucose levels and reflecting glycemic control over specific time frames.
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
785
01:29Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors
131
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is the clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to manage and optimize therapy. TDM is crucial for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, like warfarin and phenytoin, where incorrect doses can lead to treatment failure or severe side effects. This monitoring ensures the dosage administered is within a safe and effective range. The factors affecting therapeutic drug monitoring include:Patient-Specific Factors:a.
131
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
4.7K
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. The condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact their health and quality of life.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
4.7K
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
890
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
890
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
4.2K
Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
4.2K