BARCELONA, Spain -- Patients who receive a diagnosis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) from their primary care clinician may be less likely to adhere to treatment than those who receive the diagnosis from a specialist who provides anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy, according to global survey results presented at the European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA) 2024. Likewise, patients who self-pay for the medication or who have bilateral nAMD may be less adherent to therapy, researchers found.

"Identifying patient characteristics and challenges that may be associated with nonadherence allows clinicians to recognize patients at risk for nonadherence and provide further support before these patients begin to miss appointments," the study authors wrote.

This study was led by Laurent Kodjikian, MD, PhD, with Croix-Rousse University Hospital and the University of Lyon, Lyon, France. The findings were presented in a poster at EURETINA 2024 (September 19-22).

The survey relied on participant responses using Likert scales and single-choice questions. Patients from the United States were not included in the study.

The survey and medical writing support for the study were funded by Bayer Consumer Care. Kodjikian and coauthors disclosed consulting work for Bayer and other pharmaceutical companies.