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Caregiver Experience Survey of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema and Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Author information

Affiliations

  • 1. Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
      Authors
    • Viola F 1
    (1 author)
  • 2. Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA.
      Authors
    • Chi GC 2
    (1 author)
  • 3. Pepose Vision Institute Chesterfield, Chesterfield, Missouri, USA.
      Authors
    • Holekamp NM 3
    (1 author)
  • 4. Ophthalmology Department, Avicenne Hospital, Bobigny, France.
      Authors
    • Giocanti-Aurégan A 4
    (1 author)
  • 5. Clinica Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
      Authors
    • García-Layana A 5
    (1 author)
    • Show all (12)

ORCIDs linked to this article

Ophthalmic Research, 29 Aug 2024, 67(1):516-527
https://doi.org/10.1159/000540390 PMID: 39208778 

Abstract 

Introduction

Diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) require frequent anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment and monitoring visits. We aimed to understand the burden of treatment on caregivers.

Methods

This multinational, noninterventional study used a cross-sectional survey of adult patients with DME or nAMD treated with anti-VEGF injections in the USA, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK. The survey assessed caregivers' sociodemographic characteristics, patient relationships, patients' clinical history and treatment experiences, caregivers' experiences, and the Caregiver Reaction Assessment of caregiving burden.

Results

Caregivers for patients with DME (n = 30) and nAMD (n = 95) completed surveys. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 64.0 ± 13.4 years, and most were female (71.2%), white (70.4%), married (66.4%), and from Europe (67.2%). Most were caring for their mother/father or partner/spouse (85.6%). Mean ± SD length of time as a caregiver was 9.1 ± 10.0 years. Caregivers estimated they provided support for 4.2 ± 2.9 days/week and 6.0 ± 7.1 h/day on average. Nearly half of caregivers (45.6%) reported some impairment in daily activities, and more than two-thirds (70.5%) of working caregivers (n = 44) reported work absenteeism due to anti-VEGF treatment/monitoring appointments. At least one treatment barrier was reported by 66.7% and 50.5% of caregivers of patients with DME and nAMD, respectively, which were related to coronavirus disease 2019- (38.4%), clinic- (18.4%), social-/health- (13.6%), treatment- (10.4%), or financial-related factors (4.8%). Caregiver Reaction Assessment scores indicated mild-to-moderate burden, with higher caregiver schedule disruption scores associated with an increasing number of anti-VEGF treatment/monitoring visits among DME caregivers (r = 0.61).

Conclusion

Caregivers devote substantial time to caregiving, leading to schedule disruptions and absenteeism for some working caregivers. Positive and negative impacts on caregiver mental health were reported.

Full text links 

Read article at publisher's site: https://doi.org/10.1159/000540390

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