Assessment of patient awareness on disease and treatment after applying web-based application for treatment outcome tracking in nAMD and DME patients treated with anti-VEGF: a non-drug interventional study (A RETINA TRACK)

Abstract

Background: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) therapy require continuous follow up. Various evidences researched on root cause for low adherence to the treatment and found that disease awareness and knowledge play importance role on patient decision for treatment and follow up. This study aims to assess the effects of this web-based application on patient awareness on disease and treatment.

Methods: In this prospective study, 110 patients receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy for nAMD or DME for at least 3 months at Thammasat University Hospital during September 2021 to February 2022 were enrolled. They were randomized 1:1 into conventional approach and Retina Track approach. Participants were interviewed using the Patient Awareness Questionnaire at index date, and the first follow-up.

Results: In Retina Track group, there were significant increases in awareness across all aspects after knowledge acquisition and at the 3-month follow-up compared to before knowledge acquisition, including disease name (12.8% and 16.4%), and disease cause (29.0% and 34.5%). Awareness of risk factor and disease progression show significant increase of 20.0% and 21.8% at the 3-month follow-up. In the conventional approach group, significant increases were also found for all aspects after knowledge acquisition compared to before knowledge acquisition but risk factor and treatment awareness significantly decreased at the 3-month follow-up.

Conclusion: The results demonstrate that while both groups benefited from the educational intervention, the Retina Track played acritical role in both enhancing and maintaining disease awareness.