Global Burden of Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Targeted Literature Review

Clin Ther. 2021 Sep 18:S0149-2918(21)00310-6. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.08.011. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPURPOSE: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness, particularly in higher-income countries. Although dry AMD accounts for 85% to 90% of AMD cases, a comprehensive understanding of the global dry AMD burden is needed.METHODS: A targeted literature review was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1995-2019) to identify data on the epidemiology, management, and humanistic and economic burden of dry AMD in adults. A landscape analysis of patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments in AMD was also conducted via searches in PubMed (1995-2019), ClinicalTrials.gov, PROQOLID, PROLABELS, and health technology assessment reports (2008-2018).FINDINGS: Thirty-seven of 4205 identified publications were included in the review. Dry AMD prevalence was 0.44% globally, varied across ethnic groups, and increased with age. Patients with dry AMD had higher risks of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.46; 95% CI, 0.99-2.16) and tobacco-related (HR = 2.86; 95% CI, 1.15-7.09) or cancer deaths (HR = 3.37; 95% CI, 1.56-7.29; P = 0.002) than those without dry AMD. Smoking, increasing age or cholesterol levels, and obesity are key risk factors for developing dry AMD. No treatment guidelines were identified for dry AMD specifically; management focuses on risk factor reduction and use of dietary supplements. In...
Source: Clinical Therapeutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Source Type: research