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Defining Nonadherence and Nonpersistence to Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapies in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Lookup NU author(s): James Talks

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Abstract

© 2021 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.Importance: Poor adherence or persistence to treatment can be a barrier to optimizing clinical practice (real-world) outcomes to intravitreal injection therapy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Currently, there is a lack of consensus on the definition and classification of adherence specific to this context. Objective: To describe the development and validation of terminology on patient nonadherence and nonpersistence to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Design, Setting, and Participants: Following a systematic review of currently used terminology in the literature, a subcommittee panel of retinal experts developed a set of definitions and classification for validation. Definitions were restricted to use in patients with nAMD requiring intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Validation by the full nAMD Barometer Leadership Coalition was established using a modified Delphi approach, with predetermined mean scores of 7.5 or more signifying consensus. Subsequent endorsement of the definitions was provided from a second set of retinal experts, with more than 50% members agreeing or strongly agreeing with all definitions. Main Outcomes and Measures: Development of consensus definitions for the terms adherence and persistence and a classification system for the factors associated with treatment nonadherence or nonpersistence in patients with nAMD. Results: Nonadherence was defined as missing 2 or more treatment or monitoring visits over a period of 12 months, with a visit considered missed if it exceeded more than 2 weeks from the recommended date. Nonpersistence was defined by nonattendance or an appointment not scheduled within the last 6 months. The additional terms planned discontinuation and transfer of care were also established. Reasons for treatment nonadherence and nonpersistence were classified into 6 dimensions: (1) patient associated, (2) condition associated, (3) therapy associated, (4) health system and health care team associated, (5) social/economic, and (6) other, with subcategories specific to treatment for nAMD. Conclusions and Relevance: This classification system provides a framework for assessing treatment nonadherence and nonpersistence over time and across different health settings in the treatment of nAMD with current intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatments. This may have additional importance, given the potential association of the coronavirus pandemic on adherence to treatment in patients with nAMD.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Okada M, Wong TY, Mitchell P, Eldem B, Talks SJ, Aslam T, Daien V, Rodriguez FJ, Gale R, Barratt J, Finger RP, Loewenstein A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: JAMA Ophthalmology

Year: 2021

Volume: 139

Issue: 7

Pages: 769-776

Print publication date: 01/07/2021

Online publication date: 03/06/2021

Acceptance date: 02/04/2018

Date deposited: 24/10/2023

ISSN (print): 2168-6165

ISSN (electronic): 2168-6173

Publisher: American Medical Association

URL: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2021.1660

DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2021.1660

PubMed id: 34081099

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