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Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

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01-06-2017 | Retinal Disorders

Switching therapy from bevacizumab to aflibercept for the management of persistent diabetic macular edema

Authors: Bobak Bahrami, Thomas Hong, Meidong Zhu, Timothy E. Schlub, Andrew Chang

Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 6/2017

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the visual and anatomical outcomes following switching therapy from bevacizumab to aflibercept in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods

Patients with DME and central macular thickness (CMT) >300 μm on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) despite at least 4 intravitreal bevacizumab injections in the prior 6 months were recruited for this prospective, single-armed, single centre, open-label clinical trial. Five loading doses of intravitreal aflibercept were administered every 4 weeks until week 16, at which point the treatment interval was extended to 8 weeks. All participants were reviewed every 4 weeks. At each visit, examination included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measured with an Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart and CMT measured with SD-OCT. Primary outcome measures were change in CMT and BCVA at week 24 compared with baseline.

Results

A total of 43 eyes from 43 patients were recruited for the study. At enrolment, study eyes had a mean ± standard deviation of 16.6 ± 11.5 previous intravitreal anti-VEGF injections over a period of 26.9 ± 23.8 months. Mean CMT reduced from 417 ± 91 μm at baseline to 380 ± 102 μm at 24 weeks (mean reduction 37 μm, p < 0.01). Mean BCVA improved from 67.8 ± 10.3 letters at baseline to 71.0 ± 10.1 letters at 24 weeks (mean 3.2 letter gain, p < 0.01). Eyes improving by ≥5 letters at 4 weeks following the first injection had improved vision outcomes at 24 weeks (6.8 ± 7.1 letters vs. 1.0 ± 4.7 letters, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Intravitreal aflibercept was effective in improving anatomical and visual outcomes among patients with incomplete response to intravitreal bevacizumab with 24 weeks of follow up.

Clinical trial registration

ACTRN12614001307695

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Title: Switching therapy from bevacizumab to aflibercept for the management of persistent diabetic macular edema
Authors: Bobak Bahrami
Thomas Hong
Meidong Zhu
Timothy E. Schlub
Andrew Chang
Publication date: 01-06-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology / Issue 6/2017
Print ISSN: 0721-832X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-702X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-017-3624-y

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Switching therapy from bevacizumab to aflibercept for the management of persistent diabetic macular edema

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Clinical trial registration

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Clinical trial registration

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