Cost-effectiveness of Anti-VEGF treatments for age-related macular degeneration: a Brazilian perspective.

PURPOSE: To study the cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab and bevacizumab for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: We used a decision tree model to analyze the cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab and bevacizumab for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, from the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) perspective. Ranibizumab and bevacizumab were administered to patients with the same treatment procedure, and the difference in treatment costs was calculated based on the cost of the drugs. Direct costs were estimated using the information provided by the Brazilian SUS. Effectiveness in terms of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) was calculated based on the utility values for visual impairment. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated by comparing both treatments. The analytical horizon was one year. RESULTS: The decision tree analysis showed that the difference in treatment effectiveness was 0.01 QALY. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio showed that ranibizumab treatment required an incremental annual cost of more than R$ 2 million to generate 1 additional QALY, as compared to bevacizumab. CONCLUSIONS: From the Brazilian SUS perspective, bevacizumab is more cost-effective than ranibizumab for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Its use could allow potential annual savings in health budget.

Cost-effectiveness of Anti-VEGF treatments for age-related macular degeneration: a Brazilian perspective / Estudo de custo-efetividade de tratamentos para a degeneração macular relacionada à idade: uma perspectiva brasileira

ABSTRACT Purpose: To study the cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab and bevacizumab for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Methods: We used a decision tree model to analyze the cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab and bevacizumab for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, from the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) perspective. Ranibizumab and bevacizumab were administered to patients with the same treatment procedure, and the difference in treatment costs was calculated based on the cost of the drugs. Direct costs were estimated using the information provided by the Brazilian SUS. Effectiveness in terms of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) was calculated based on the utility values for visual impairment. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated by comparing both treatments. The analytical horizon was one year. Results: The decision tree analysis showed that the difference in treatment effectiveness was 0.01 QALY. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio showed that ranibizumab treatment required an incremental annual cost of more than R$ 2 million to generate 1 additional QALY, as compared to bevacizumab. Conclusions: From the Brazilian SUS perspective, bevacizumab is more cost-effective than ranibizumab for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Its use could allow potential annual savings in health budget.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estudar o custo-efetividade do ranibizumabe e bevacizumabe no tratamento da degeneração macular relacionada à idade neovascular. Métodos: Utilizamos um modelo de árvore de decisão para analisar a relação custo-efetividade do ranibizumabe e bevacizumabe no tratamento da degeneração macular relacionada à idade, sob a perspectiva do Sistema Único de Saúde. O ranibizumabe e bevacizumabe foram administrados a pacientes com o mesmo procedimento de tratamento, e a diferença nos custos do tratamernto foi calculada com base no custo dos medicamentos. Os custos diretos foram estimados utilizando as informações fornecidas pelo SUS. A efetividade foi determinada em anos de vida ajustados pela qualidade (QALY) baseados em valores de utilidade em deficiênciavisual. A razãoincremental custo-efetividadefoicalculada comparando os dois tratamentos. O horizonte analítico foi de um ano. Resultados: A análise da árvore de decisão mostrou que a diferença na efetividade do tratamento foi de 0,01 QALY. A razão incremental de custo-efetividade mostrou que o tratamento com ranibizumabe exigiu um custo anual incremental de R$ 2 milhões para gerar um QALY adicional, em comparação ao bevacizumabe. Conclusões: Do ponto de vista do SUS, o bevacizumabe é mais custo-efetivo que o ranibizumabe no tratamento da degeneração macular relacionada à idade neovascular. O seu uso poderia gerar uma grande economia anual para o orçamento em saúde.

State of the art in chromovitrectomy / Estado da arte da cromovitrectomia

Vitrectomy is a surgery that involves complex and delicate techniques that treat diseases such as macular hole, epiretinal membrane and diabetic macular edema. Chromovitrectomy is one of these techniques and includes the use of coloring agents such as vital dyes or crystals to enhanced visibility of transparent structures during vitrectomy. The aim of this study was to present a modern approach, based on scientific evidence, about the application and indication of vital coloring agents during vitrectomy. The use of such agents has made this surgery more predictable and has increased its post-operative prognosis. Although research on chromovitrectomy is currently expanding there is still not an established gold standard dyeing agent.

A cirurgia vitreorretiniana é uma cirurgia que envolve técnicas complexas e delicadas que tratam doenças como buraco macular, membrana epirretiniana e o edema macular diabético. A cromovitrectomia é uma dessas técnicas que incluem o uso de corantes compostos de pigmentos vitais ou cristais para melhorar a visibilização de estruturas transparentes durante a cirurgia de vitrectomia. O objetivo desse artigo foi apresentar uma abordagem atual, baseada em evidências, sobre a aplicação e indicação de corantes vitais durante a cirurgia vitreorretiniana. O emprego desses corantes possibilitou uma maior previsibilidade para a cirurgia, melhorando assim seu prognóstico pós-operatório. Apesar do campo da cromovitrectomia está em plena expansão de pesquisas, um corante gold standard para cromovitrectomia ainda não está estabelecido.

Bilateral maculopathy following electrical burn: case report / Maculopatia bilateral após queimadura elétrica: relato de caso

CONTEXT: Electrical burns are an important etiology in dealing with patients suffering from burns. In situations of extensive deep lesions of multiple organs and systems affecting young and economically active people, there is a need for expensive multidisciplinary treatment, with a high socioeconomic cost for the community. Among the permanent injuries that explain this high cost, eye injuries stand out, since they are widely disabling. Although rare, lesions of the posterior segment of the eye are associated with higher incidence of major sequelae, and thus deserve special attention for dissemination and discussion of the few cases observed. CASE REPORT: The authors report the case of a patient who suffered high-voltage electrical burns and presented bilateral maculopathy, which evolved with a need for a surgical approach to repair retinal detachment and permanent low visual acuity. CONCLUSION: This report highlights the rarity of the etiology of maculopathy and the need for campaigns for prevention not only of burns in general, but also especially of electrical burns. .

CONTEXTO: As queimaduras elétricas representam etiologia importante na abordagem de pacientes vítimas de queimaduras. Lesões extensas e profundas de múltiplos órgãos e sistemas e o acometimento de população jovem economicamente ativa apontam para a necessidade de tratamento multidisciplinar dispendioso, com alto custo socioeconômico para as comunidades. Dentre as lesões permanentes que justificam esse alto custo, as oculares têm local de destaque, porque são amplamente incapacitantes. Embora raras, as lesões do segmento posterior do olho estão associadas a maior incidência de sequelas importantes, merecendo atenção especial para divulgação e discussão dos poucos casos observados. RELATO DE CASO: Os autores relatam o caso de paciente vítima de queimadura elétrica com fio de alta voltagem que apresentou maculopatia bilateral, evoluindo com necessidade de abordagem cirúrgica para correção de descolamento de retina e baixa acuidade visual permanente. CONCLUSÃO: Este relato destaca a raridade da etiologia da maculopatia e a necessidade de campanhas de prevenção não só das queimaduras em geral, mas especialmente das queimaduras elétricas. .

Bilateral maculopathy following electrical burn: case report.

CONTEXT: Electrical burns are an important etiology in dealing with patients suffering from burns. In situations of extensive deep lesions of multiple organs and systems affecting young and economically active people, there is a need for expensive multidisciplinary treatment, with a high socioeconomic cost for the community. Among the permanent injuries that explain this high cost, eye injuries stand out, since they are widely disabling. Although rare, lesions of the posterior segment of the eye are associated with higher incidence of major sequelae, and thus deserve special attention for dissemination and discussion of the few cases observed. CASE REPORT: The authors report the case of a patient who suffered high-voltage electrical burns and presented bilateral maculopathy, which evolved with a need for a surgical approach to repair retinal detachment and permanent low visual acuity. CONCLUSION: This report highlights the rarity of the etiology of maculopathy and the need for campaigns for prevention not only of burns in general, but also especially of electrical burns.

Safety and efficacy of various concentrations of topical lidocaine gel for intravitreal injection.

INTRODUCTION: Intravitreal injection (IVT) is one of the most common vitreoretinal procedures, a large majority are performed with local anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety to the cornea and anesthetic efficacy of five concentrations of lidocaine gel. METHODS: A prospective clinical trial was conducted testing lidocaine gel in five preparations: 2, 3.5, 5, 8 and 12%. Patients with macular degeneration, diabetic edema or retina vein occlusion were scheduled for intravitreal treatment received topical anesthesia with lidocaine gel 5 and 10 min before the procedure. Patients answered the visual analog scale for pain during the procedure. Corneal and conjunctival was evaluated using the Oxford scale. RESULTS: In total, 260 patients were randomized into five groups. The mean pain scores (± standard deviation) were 2.63 (± 1.68) in the 2% group, 2.08 (± 1.35) in the 3.5%; 2.00 (± 1.65) in the 5%, 1.93 (± 1.40) in the 8% and 1.83 (± 1.35) in the 12% group. Mean pain score among all groups was similar (p = 0.077). There was no significant difference between groups in regard to keratitis mean score (p = 0.897). CONCLUSIONS: Lidocaine gel at concentrations from 2 to 12% induced similar anesthetic effect for IVTs, without adverse effects on cornea and conjunctiva.

Lutein and zeaxanthin toxicity with and without brilliant blue in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety profile of solutions containing lutein and zeaxanthin alone or associated with brilliant blue (BB). METHODS: Twenty-eight New Zealand rabbits were used to evaluate 4 concentrations of the various dye solutions: 0.5% lutein/zeaxanthin; 0.5% lutein/zeaxanthin associated with 0.0125% BB; 0.3% lutein/zeaxanthin associated with 0.025% BB; and 0.25% lutein/zeaxanthin associated with 0.05% BB. The pHs of the dye solutions ranged from 6.5 to 7.2 and the osmolarities from 280 to 320 mOsm/mL. Each rabbit had 0.1 mL of one of the dyeing solutions injected into the vitreous cavity of the right eye, while balanced salt solution (BSS) was injected into the left eye as the control. Scotopic electroretinography responses were recorded in all eyes at different time points. The animals were sacrificed at 1 and 7 days after injection; the eyes were analyzed by light and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: No significant (P>0.05) differences were seen in the a- and b-wave amplitudes among groups at any given point in time. Light and electron microscopy findings showed no significant abnormalities either, and were similar to the histological findings after intravitreal BSS injection. CONCLUSIONS: Lutein and zeaxanthin alone or in association with BB showed a good safety profile in this experimental model.

[Ocular pharmacology in the treatment of vitreous, retina and choroid diseases]. / Farmacologia ocular aplicada no tratamento de doenças do vítreo, retina e coróide.

Retinal diseases are frequently causes of impaired visual acuity and blindness. Recent progress in ocular pharmacology leads to the development of new promising drugs and better functional outcomes. Drug delivery and local management of diseases affecting the choroid and retina should enable better anatomical and functional outcomes. An overview of ocular pharmacology, emerging drug technologies and drug delivery is provided. Some relevant clinical features are discussed.

Farmacologia ocular aplicada no tratamento de doenças do vítreo, retina e coróide / Ocular pharmacology in the treatment of vitreous, retina and choroid diseases

As doenças que acometem o vítreo, retina e coróide são frequentes causas de cegueira irreversível em nosso meio. O aprofundamento do conhecimento científico permitiu o desenvolvimento de novos medicamentos com ação específica na patogênese dessas doenças, com resultados clínicos superiores aos obtidos no passado. O desenvolvimento da farmacologia ocular exige do médico oftalmologista conhecimentos específicos de biologia molecular, bioquímica e epidemiologia. Entretanto, o tratamento farmacológico das doenças oculares tem sido limitado às formas convencionais de administração de fármacos. Através de revisão da literatura sobre farmacologia ocular e vias de administração de medicamentos, os autores apresentam atualização de importantes aspectos relacionados à prática clínica.

Retinal diseases are frequently causes of impaired visual acuity and blindness. Recent progress in ocular pharmacology leads to the development of new promising drugs and better functional outcomes. Drug delivery and local management of diseases affecting the choroid and retina should enable better a natomical and functional outcomes. An overview of ocular pharmacology, emerging drug technologies and drug delivery is provided. Some relevant clinical features are discussed.

Corantes vitais em cromovitrectomia / Vital dyes in chromovitrectomy

O objetivo do artigo é apresentar os dados atuais da aplicação de corantes vitais durante cirurgia vitreorretiniana, "cromovitrectomia", bem como uma revisão da literatura atual sobre o assunto no tocante às técnicas de aplicação, indicações e complicações em cromovitrectomia. Um grande número de publicações tem abordado o perfil tóxico da indocianina verde na cromovitrectomia. Dados experimentais mostram uma toxicidade dose-dependente da mesma em várias populações de células retinianas. Novas gerações de corantes incluem: azul tripan, azul patente, acetato de triancinolona, infracianina verde, fluoresceína sódica, azul de bromofenol, acetato de fluorometolona e azul brilhante. Novos instrumentos podem permitir um corar seletivo de estruturas durante a vitrectomia. Este artigo mostra que o campo da cromovitrectomia está em plena expansão de pesquisas. Os corantes de primeira linha são a indocianina verde, infracianina verde e o azul brilhante. Azul patente, azul de bromofenol e azul tripan surgem como novos adjuvantes para melhor observação da membrana epirretiniana. Demais corantes que surgiram merecem maior investigação.

The aim of this article is to present the current data with regard to the application of vital dyes during vitreoretinal surgery, "chromovitrectomy", as well as to overview the current literature regarding the properties of dyes, techniques of application, indications and complications in chromovitrectomy. A large body of published research has recently addressed the toxicity profile of indocyanine green for chromovitrectomy. Experimental data demonstrate dose-dependent toxicity of indocyanine green to various retinal cells. Newer generation vital dyes for chromovitrectomy include trypan blue, patent blue, triamcinolone acetonide, infracyanine green, sodium fluorescein, bromophenol blue, fluorometholone acetate and brilliant blue. Novel instruments may enable a selective painting of preretinal tissues during chromovitrectomy. This review suggests that the field of chromovitrectomy represents an expanding area of research. The first line agents for internal limiting membrane staining in chromovitrectomy are indocyanine green, infracyanine green, and brilliant blue. Patent blue, bromophenol blue and trypan blue arose as outstanding biostains for visualization of epiretinal membranes. Novel dyes available for chromovitrectomy deserve further investigation.

[Vital dyes in chromovitrectomy]. / Corantes vitais em cromovitrectomia.

The aim of this article is to present the current data with regard to the application of vital dyes during vitreoretinal surgery, 'chromovitrectomy', as well as to overview the current literature regarding the properties of dyes, techniques of application, indications and complications in chromovitrectomy. A large body of published research has recently addressed the toxicity profile of indocyanine green for chromovitrectomy. Experimental data demonstrate dose-dependent toxicity of indocyanine green to various retinal cells. Newer generation vital dyes for chromovitrectomy include trypan blue, patent blue, triamcinolone acetonide, infracyanine green, sodium fluorescein, bromophenol blue, fluorometholone acetate and brilliant blue. Novel instruments may enable a selective painting of preretinal tissues during chromovitrectomy. This review suggests that the field of chromovitrectomy represents an expanding area of research. The first line agents for internal limiting membrane staining in chromovitrectomy are indocyanine green, infracyanine green, and brilliant blue. Patent blue, bromophenol blue and trypan blue arose as outstanding biostains for visualization of epiretinal membranes. Novel dyes available for chromovitrectomy deserve further investigation.