| Title: |
A systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of anti-VEGF drugs for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy |
| Authors: |
Hodgson, Robert; Walton, Matthew; Fulbright, Helen; Bojke, Laura; Walker, Ruth; Llewellyn, Alexis; Dias, Sofia; Stewart, Lesley; Steel, David; Lawrenson, John; Peto, Tunde; Simmonds, Mark |
| Source: |
Hodgson, R, Walton, M, Fulbright, H, Bojke, L, Walker, R, Llewellyn, A, Dias, S, Stewart, L, Steel, D, Lawrenson, J, Peto, T & Simmonds, M 2025, 'A systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of anti-VEGF drugs for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy', Health Technology Assessment, vol. 29, no. 23, pp. 165–184. https://doi.org/10.3310/NHYK3694 |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
Queen's University Belfast: Research Portal |
| Subject Terms: |
diabetic retinopathy; anti-VEGF drugs; cost-effectiveness; /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being; name=SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| Description: |
Non-proliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy are common complications of diabetes and a major cause of sight loss. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs represent a treatment option for people with diabetic retinopathy and are routinely used to treat various other eye conditions. However, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs are expensive relative to current care options, and it is unclear whether this additional cost is justified when the immediate risk of vision loss is lower compared to patients with more aggressive ophthalmological conditions. To systematically review the evidence supporting the cost-effectiveness of alternative treatments for diabetic retinopathy. A systematic review of all comparative cost-effectiveness studies evaluating any treatment for diabetic retinopathy was conducted. Bibliographic searches were carried out to identify studies reporting on the cost-effectiveness of treatments for diabetic retinopathy; the latest searches were conducted on 28 April 2023. Included studies were synthesised narratively and evaluated with reference to UK decision-making. Studies were grouped by population into non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The review identified five studies in the proliferative diabetic retinopathy population, all of which examined the cost-effectiveness of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatments compared to pan-retinal photocoagulation. Results of these studies suggest that anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatments offer some additional benefits in terms of preserved visual acuity but also incur substantial additional costs relative to pan-retinal photocoagulation. Most authors agreed that the additional costs outweigh the limited benefits, especially in certain patient subgroups without pre-existing oedema. As most of the identified evidence considered a US perspective, it is unclear how these results would translate to a UK setting. Two studies were identified in the non-proliferative ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
1366-5278; 2046-4924 |
| Relation: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pmid/39881630; info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1366-5278; info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/2046-4924 |
| DOI: |
10.3310/NHYK3694 |
| Availability: |
https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/b6653653-1782-43f2-ad49-616df81f0640; https://doi.org/10.3310/NHYK3694; https://pureadmin.qub.ac.uk/ws/files/658598198/3047038.pdf |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess ; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.3AAC1817 |
| Database: |
BASE |