Abstract
Purpose :
Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic disease that often requires lifelong treatment with intravitreal injections (IVI). Long-term treatment plans with fewer eye examinations according to Observe-and-Plan (OnP) may improve patient satisfaction compared to the established regime of Treat-and-Extend (TnE). To test this, we performed a prospective observational study in wet AMD patients comparing patient satisfaction scores at >12 months IVI according to TnE and following a switch to OnP during the next 12 months.
Methods :
37 patients with wet AMD previously treated according to TnE for ≥12 months at St Olav Hospital in Norway were given Leeds Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSQ) measuring normalized satisfaction scores and six sub-groups namely (A) general satisfaction, (B) giving of information, (C) empathy with the patient, (D) technical quality and competence, (E) attitude towards the patient, (F) access and continuity. The LSQ was self-completed by each patient at inclusion (timepoint 1) and following a switch to OnP during the next 12 months (timepoint 2). Totals between sub-groups are normalized to generate a score out of a total of 5 for each sub-group. Scores >3 represent satisfaction while <3 represents dissatisfaction. Satisfaction scores for timepoints 1&2 were compared using paired samples student t-test.
Results :
37 patients answered the LSQ at timepoint 1 and 31 at timepoint 2 (84%). Mean ± 95% CI normalized patient satisfaction scores were higher at timepoint 2: 3.74 ± 2.46, than at timepoint 1: 3.62 ± 2.73 (p = 0.006).
Conclusions :
There was a significant improvement in patient satisfaction following a switch from Treat-and-Extend to Observe-and-Plan among patients with wet AMD in Norway. This could be due to a higher acceptance of long-treatment plans with fewer scheduled appointments.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.