Polona Jaki Mekjavić1, Vilma Jūratė Balčiūnienė2, Lala Ćeklić3, Jan Ernest4, Zuzana Jamrichova5, Zoltán Zsolt Nagy6, Iva Petkova7, Sławomir Teper8, Ivana Gardašević Topčić9, Miroslav Veith10. 1. Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: polona.jaki@guest.arnes.si. 2. Eye Clinic, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania. 3. Ministry of Health of Republic of Srpska, Barja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 4. Central Military Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic. 5. Faculty Hospital Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia. 6. Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. 7. University Eye Hospital Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria. 8. Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. 9. General Hospital Novo mesto, Novo mesto, Slovenia. 10. Faculty Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the significant impact of retinal diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), there is a limited understanding of how these conditions are managed in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). OBJECTIVES: To provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical and economic burden of wAMD and DME in CEE and the status quo associated with their management. METHODS: A narrative literature review was undertaken to identify existing data on wAMD and DME, including epidemiology, economic burden, clinical guidelines, and available and reimbursed treatments. Data were collected from relevant sources such as PubMed, ophthalmology associations, national statistical offices, and government agency websites; practical viewpoints were provided by local ophthalmologists and healthcare economics experts in CEE. RESULTS: Epidemiological data on wAMD and DME are limited in CEE, and intercountry comparison is difficult because of differences in data collection methodologies. There are effective treatment options for wAMD and DME, and international guidelines advocate the use of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections as first-line therapy. Local expert organizations broadly support these recommendations; nevertheless, no clinical practice guidelines exist on the treatment of wAMD and DME in CEE. Access to and reimbursement of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents vary significantly in the region and, as a result, many patients remain untreated or inadequately treated. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need for the creation of a wAMD/DME treatment program in CEE to ensure that patients have timely access to the most appropriate treatments.
BACKGROUND: Despite the significant impact of retinal diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), there is a limited understanding of how these conditions are managed in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). OBJECTIVES: To provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical and economic burden of wAMD and DME in CEE and the status quo associated with their management. METHODS: A narrative literature review was undertaken to identify existing data on wAMD and DME, including epidemiology, economic burden, clinical guidelines, and available and reimbursed treatments. Data were collected from relevant sources such as PubMed, ophthalmology associations, national statistical offices, and government agency websites; practical viewpoints were provided by local ophthalmologists and healthcare economics experts in CEE. RESULTS: Epidemiological data on wAMD and DME are limited in CEE, and intercountry comparison is difficult because of differences in data collection methodologies. There are effective treatment options for wAMD and DME, and international guidelines advocate the use of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections as first-line therapy. Local expert organizations broadly support these recommendations; nevertheless, no clinical practice guidelines exist on the treatment of wAMD and DME in CEE. Access to and reimbursement of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents vary significantly in the region and, as a result, many patients remain untreated or inadequately treated. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need for the creation of a wAMD/DME treatment program in CEE to ensure that patients have timely access to the most appropriate treatments.
Authors: Debdulal Chakraborty; Michael W Stewart; Jay U Sheth; Tushar K Sinha; Subhendu Boral; Arnab Das; Soumen Mondal; Angshuman Mukherjee Journal: Ophthalmol Ther Date: 2021-04-17