Abstract
Purpose :
To calculate and compare the average interval between injections of Aflibercept (AFL), Bevacizumab (BEVA), and Ranibizumab (RAN) for patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR).
Methods :
A retrospective cohort study was performed at a private retinal practice in Ohio. The Institutional Review Board (Sterling) determined this study consisted of non-human subjects. All data was collected through the practice management of Retina Associates of Cleveland, Inc. Data was collected from patients who received injections of AFL, BEVA, and RAN from July 2020 through June 2021 and includes: patient number, injection service dates, anti-vegf drug injected, procedure codes, and primary diagnoses. The patients were limited to those injected unilaterally and diagnosed with DR, and the number of days between injection service dates was calculated for each injection. The data set was then organized by primary diagnosis and injection type, and the average number of days between injection service dates was determined for DR and each corresponding drug. Statistical analysis included calculating the average interval in days between injections for each medication, standard deviation, and two tailed t-test for comparison between medications.
Results :
From July 2020 through June 2021, 14,911 injections were placed unilaterally for any diagnosis. There were 1,313 injections for DR with an average interval between injections of 70 days for all medications. Of the DR injections, the average interval was BEVA 69 days with standard deviation (SD) +/- 56 days, AFL 71 days SD +/- 53 days , and RAN 70 days SD +/- 63 days. In comparing the interval of BEVA versus AFL, the two-tailed t test yields a p value = 0.591; BEVA vs. RAN p = 0.886; AFL vs. RAN p= 0.961.
Conclusions :
The results of the study suggest that AFL, RAN and BEVA seem to have similar interval of injections for DR.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.