Abstract
Purpose :
This retrospective cohort study aims to characterize real-world patient demographics, indications for treatment, and clinical outcomes of patients receiving “free” anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) intravitreal injections via pharmaceutical patient assistance programs (PAPs).
Methods :
A retrospective case series of patients who have received at least one “free” anti-VEGF injection between 2012 and 2023 at a multicenter retina-only practice in Denver, Colorado was performed. Patients’ electronic health records, billing data, and PAP applications were reviewed. Demographic data, income, visual acuity, treatment history, and central subfield thickness (CST) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) were analyzed.
Results :
A total of 36 patients (mean age 61 years ± 13) were treated with “free” intravitreal medications throughout the study period. Self-reported ethnicities were Hispanic (N = 17, 47.2%), not Hispanic (N = 14, 38.9%), or not specified (N = 6, 13.9%). The majority of patients (N = 23, 63.8%) reported an annual income less than $75,000 per year. The rate of uninsured and insured patients in this study were 24% and 76%, respectively. Mean follow up for all patients was 1.6 months ± 4.4 (range 1.1 – 9.8). Indications for treatment included proliferative diabetic retinopathy (N = 17, 47.2%), diabetic macular edema (N = 15, 41.7%), and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (N = 8, 22.2%). “Free” anti-VEGF medications that were used included ranibizumab (N = 25, 69.5%), aflibercept (N = 7, 19.4%), and faricimab (N = 3, 8.3%). Mean treatment frequency for all patients was 7.6 injections per year ± 5.2. Baseline mean logMAR visual acuity was 0.56 ± 63 and final visual acuity improved to 0.39 ± 30 (P < 0.001). Baseline central subfield thickness in treated eyes as measured by optical coherence tomography was 370 µm ± 160 improved to 270 µm ± 50 at last follow up (P < 0.001).
Conclusions :
The majority of patients receiving “free” anti-VEGF therapy through PAPs were treated for diabetic eye disease. Significant improvements in visual acuity and macular anatomy reflect the importance of PAPs in treating uninsured and underinsured patients with retinal disease.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.