Factors associated with polyp regression after intravitreal ranibizumab injections for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the predictive factors of polyp regression after intravitreal ranibizumab injections for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).


METHODS
Sixty-nine eyes (69 patients) with treatment-naïve PCV received an initial series of 3-monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections, followed by as-needed injections. Polyp regression was determined after 6 months from baseline by means of indocyanine angiography and correlated with clinical characteristics at baseline.


RESULTS
After treatment, 26.1% (18 out of 69 eyes) achieved complete polyp regression and 73.9% (51 out of 69 eyes) showed persistent polyps. The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was significantly improved in both groups (P = 0.02). No statistically significant difference in BCVA improvement was observed between the groups. However, the proportion of subjects with BCVA improvement by more than three lines was significantly higher in the polyp regression group (P = 0.02). Univariate analysis of the baseline characteristics identified the number of polyps (P = 0.02), the total polyp area (P = 0.009) and the polyp pattern (P = 0.01) as predictive factors for polyp regression. Multivariate logistic regression identified the total polyp area (P = 0.01) as an independent predictor for polyp regression after intravitreal ranibizumab injections.


CONCLUSIONS
The regression of polypoidal lesions in PCV patients after intravitreal ranibizumab injections was associated with a smaller total polyp area. This result could be helpful in predicting polypoidal changes after ranibizumab treatment and in deciding the best treatment strategy for PCV patients.
Department of Ophthalmology, Kim's Eye Hospital, Myung-Gok Eye Research Institute, Konyang University College of Medicine, 156, 4ga, Yeoungdeungpo-dong, Yeoungdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Han Joo
HJ
Cho
Sang Yoon
SY
Han
Hyoung Seok
HS
Kim
Tae Gon
TG
Lee
Jong Woo
JW
Kim
D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D004396:Coloring Agents; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D000069579:Ranibizumab