Patients with Neovascular AMD Treated with Ranibizumab Report Improvement in Function and Performing Everyday Activities in the MARINA Study

Abstract

 

Purpose:

 

Previously published data suggest improved visual function in patients with neovascular AMD receiving ranibizumab compared to sham treatment as assessed by the NEI-VFQ 25 composite and subscale scores. However, these data do not provide information on the proportion of patients who report an improvement in their ability to perform everyday activities. In this analysis, we report on the magnitude of this treatment effect based on item-specific responses to near and distance visual function questions in the NEI VFQ-25 following 24 months of treatment with ranibizumab or sham.

 

Methods:

 

In MARINA, subjects were randomized 1:1:1 to sham injection (n=238), or 0.3 mg (n=238) or 0.5 mg ranibizumab (n=240). Patient-reported level of difficulty on individual NEI VFQ-25 near and distance activities was compared at baseline and 24 months among subjects treated with sham or 0.5 mg ranibizumab. Improvement was defined as having less difficulty by 1 category or more on a 5-level difficulty scale (no difficulty at all, a little difficulty, moderate difficulty, extreme difficulty, stopped doing the activity).

 

Results:

 

Results are shown in Table 1. On average, twice as many patients reported an improvement in their ability to perform everyday near and distance tasks in the ranibizumab-treated group versus the sham group.

 

Conclusions:

 

These data provide evidence that people with neovascular AMD treated with ranibizumab not only experience improved vision but also report improvement in the ability to function and perform everyday activities.  

 

Clinical Trial:

 

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00056836

 

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • quality of life