Research Information System
Thesis Type: Expertise In Medicine
Institution Of The Thesis: Gazi Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Turkey
Approval Date: 2007
Student: BERRAK URGANCIOĞLU
Supervisor: ŞENGÜL ÖZDEK
Abstract:Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people 50 years of age and older. In this study it was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) treatment in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to AMD, as a primary or secondary treatment, in addition to as a combination therapy with photodynamic therapy (PDT). This prospective, phase 3 study included patients with CNV secondary to AMD in 3 parallel groups. Treatment naive patients randomized to group1 and group 2; intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy and PDT with IVB combination therapy, respectively. Previously treated patients formed the 3rd group and recieved IVB treatment as a ‘salvage’ therapy. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and activity score (AS) results were assessed. A total of 67 eyes of 65 patients included. The mean age was 70.56 ± 8.46 years, the mean follow-up time was 4.91 ± 1.79 months. 18 eyes of 17 patients in group 1, 22 eyes of 22 patients in group 2, 27 eyes of 26 patients in group 3 were examined. In all groups, post-treatment AS values were significantly lower than pre-treatment values (p<0.05). In all groups the mean BCVA was higher at 1-, 2-, 3- and 5 months follow-up than pre-treatment values. The mean number of IVB treatment among all patients was 1.6. 43 eyes (64.17%) recieved 1 injection, 4 eyes (5.9%) recieved 3 additional injections. Number of single injection was 10 (55.5%) and 16 (72.7%), in group 1 and group 2, respectively. The difference between two groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Activity scoring scheme may be useful for assessing the response and the need for re-treatment. IVB treatment seems to be safe, effective and low-cost for the CNV secondary to AMD.