Diabetic control and frequency of intravitreal treatment for DMO
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A retrospective review of diabetic control and frequency of intravitreal treatment of a cohort of diabetic patients receiving anti-VEGF injections for Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO)
IRAS ID
222416
Contact name
Giuliana Silvestri
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 28 days
Research summary
Diabetes is a worldwide health issue and has a range of complications that have significant morbidity. Poor blood sugar (glycaemic) control increases the risk, but it can be difficult for patients to manage. Diabetes can damage the retina of the eye and cause debilitating visual impairment. Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) is an unwanted fluid accumulation within the retinal layers in the eye at the macula. The macula is the central (most important) part of the retina.
DMO can now be treated by injections into the eye. These are typically required on a regular basis for several months/years and although generally well-received this is still a significant hurdle for patients.
This study will investigate whether patients diagnosed with DMO who have started their injection treatment are more motivated to optimise their glycaemic control, and show improvements in these measures. The study will also investigate whether people with better diabetic control require fewer eye injections.
The researchers will retrospectively review hospital records of 62 patients attending the Belfast Trust Macular Service who have been diagnosed with DMO and started treatment with eye injections. Information will be collected over a two-year attendance period and will include age, gender, known duration of diabetes, history of high blood pressure, smoking status, history of kidney disease, visual acuity, blood test results indicating diabetic control and kidney function, retinal thickness and information on the eye injections received. Data will be fully anonymised. There will be no direct patient contact, no change to clinical care; all data will be collected retrospectively from routine appointments.
Findings may indicate that a holistic-approach to DMO treatment should be developed. This could include patient education to motivate and empower patients to improve their glycaemic control and reduce other modifiable risk factors, with the purpose of improving their clinical course of their condition.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0277
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion