INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF INTRAOCULAR INFLAMMATION AFTER BROLUCIZUMAB TREATMENT IN JAPAN: A Multicenter...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a leading cause of vision loss.
• Intravitreal injections are a standard treatment for nAMD.
• Brolucizumab is a newer therapeutic agent for nAMD, necessitating safety and incidence studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of intraocular inflammation (IOI) in Japanese patients with nAMD treated with brolucizumab.
• To identify risk factors associated with the development of IOI following brolucizumab treatment.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 1,351 Japanese patients with nAMD treated with brolucizumab between May 2020 and May 2022.
• Data collected included the number of injections, time to IOI onset, and patient demographics.
• Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant risk factors for IOI.

Main Results:

• The cumulative 1-year incidence of IOI was 12.2%.
• Retinal vasculitis and/or retinal occlusion occurred in 3.9% of eyes.
• A history of IOI (OR, 5.41) and female sex (OR, 1.99) were significantly associated with IOI onset.

Conclusions:

• The 1-year incidence of IOI following brolucizumab treatment for nAMD in Japan is 12.2%.
• Pre-existing IOI and female sex are significant risk factors for developing IOI.
• These findings are crucial for patient selection and monitoring during brolucizumab therapy.