Time between symptom onset and assessment in age-related macular degeneration with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.
BACKGROUND
Therapy delay in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NV-AMD) is associated with risk of visual deterioration.


METHODS
Retrospective cross section analysis including patients with NV-AMD who received fluorescein angiography (FA). The time elapsed from symptom onset to assessment was analysed in relation to different factors. Inclusion criteria were: age >50 years, symptom onset within 6 months before assessment, no previous AMD therapy, indication for vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor treatment.


RESULTS
Mean duration of symptoms was 2.272 +/- 1.683 months (n = 220); percentiles 25, 50, 75 and 90 corresponded to 1, 2, 3 and 5.383 months. A significant increase (p = 0.033) in mean symptom duration was found between age groups 65-74, 75-84 and over 84 years. Privately insured persons (assessment 1.242 +/- 1.060 months after symptom onset; n = 14) received FA 1.083 months earlier (p = 0.0089) than patients with a statutory health insurance (assessment 2.325 +/- 1.661 months after symptom onset; n = 194).


CONCLUSIONS
In order to avoid progressive visual deterioration in patients with NV-AMD earlier assessment of these individuals should be aimed for.
Schalnus
Rainer
R
Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Main, Germany. schalnus@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Meyer
Carsten H
CH
Kuhli-Hattenbach
Claudia
C
Lüchtenberg
Marc
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005584:Fovea Centralis; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000069579:Ranibizumab