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)
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Abstract
Background: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) require consistent follow-up and treatment adherence, often hindered by low patient awareness. This study evaluates the Retina Track application, a web-based tool, in enhancing and sustaining patient awareness compared to conventional educational methods.
Methods: A prospective study enrolled 110 patients undergoing anti-VEGF therapy for nAMD or DME at Thammasat University Hospital from 1st September 2021 to 1st February 2022. Patients were randomized into two groups: one receiving conventional education (n = 55) and the other using Retina Track alongside conventional methods (n = 55). Patient awareness was assessed using a standardized questionnaire covering five aspects: disease name, cause, risk factors, progression, and treatment. Data were collected at baseline, post education, and at a 3-month follow-up.
Results: Both groups improved post-education, but the Retina Track group demonstrated superior long-term awareness. Disease name awareness increased by 12.8% and 16.4% (p = 0.0017) in the conventional and Retina Track groups, respectively. Awareness of disease cause improved by 38.5% in the conventional group and 34.5% in the Retina Track group (p < 0.0001). Risk factor awareness declined by 23.1% in the conventional group at 3 months but was sustained with a 20.0% increase in the Retina Track group (p = 0.0358). Disease progression awareness showed a significant 21.8% increase in the Retina Track group (p = 0.0174), while treatment awareness, though initially higher in the conventional group, declined sharply by 25.9%, in contrast with sustained awareness in the Retina Track group.
Conclusion: The Retina Track application significantly enhances and maintains patient awareness, particularly in areas where conventional methods falter over time. These findings highlight the value of technology-assisted interventions in chronic disease management and support further research into long-term clinical impacts.
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