Abstract
Purpose :
To explore real-life treatment of neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) using a Treat and extend (T/E) protocol with NEI-VFQ 25 and examine it`s psychometric properties in a Norwegian cohort.
Methods :
Newly diagnosed nAMD patients responded to NEI-VFQ 25 at baseline (n=197), 3- (n=186) and 6 months (n=176) after initiating anti-VEGF intravitreal injections using a T/E protocol. Face validity was tested for relevance on NRS 0-10 (10=most relevant). Liner regression was performed between NEI-VFQ 25 and LogMar (best and treated eye) as well as other relevant variables and instruments measuring patient reported general and visual health. Reliability tests were performed by test-retest on a sub group of patients (n=30) at 6 months, one week apart using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Internal consistency was tested with Cronbach`s alpha for overall- and sub scores. Sensitivity to change was tested using NEI-VFQ 25 overall score (baseline to 3 months). Paired t-tests were performed including LogMar treated eye. Finally, standardized response mean (SRM) was calculated.
Results :
Face validity of NEI-VFQ 25 at 3 months (n=84) was strong with mean (SD) of 7.8 (1,7). LogMar best/treated eye, Patients acceptable symptom state (PASS 5), and the generic health questionnaire EQ-5D were each significantly correlated to NEI-VFQ 25 overall score at baseline, 3- and 6 months (except for EQ-5D in 6 months). Significant correlation was found as well between number of injections with both LogMar treated eye and NEI-VFQ 25 overall score at 6 months. Test-retest showed high ICC value of 0.91 and Cronbach`s alpha of 0.83 for overall score, which shows that NEI-VFQ 25 has satisfactory reliability and internal consistency. Change from baseline to 3 months in NEI-VFQ 25 overall score was significant (p<0.001), which is coherent with change in LogMar treated eye. Finally, SRM showed a change of 0.33.
Conclusions :
NEI-VFQ 25 shows valid and reliable psychometric properties, and can be used to monitor patients treated for nAMD using a T/E protocol.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.