• Shwu-Jiuan Sheu, Chang-Hao Yang, Chi-Chun Lai, Pei-Chang Wu, and Shih-Jen Chen.
• Department of Ophthalmology, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
• J Chin Med Assoc. 2022 Feb 1; 85 (2): 246251246-251.

BackgroundOptimal regimen using intravitreal aflibercept injections for diabetic macular edema (DME) in clinical practice remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a treat-and-extend (TAE) approach using intravitreal aflibercept in participants with center-involved DME.MethodsA 52-week open-label, prospective, multicenter, interventional study was conducted between August 2015 and November 2017 in Taiwan. Adults with diabetes mellitus and center-involved DME who have best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 73 to 24 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters and central retinal thickness (CRT) >300 μm were included. Participants received five monthly loading doses of 2 mg intravitreal aflibercept, followed by a TAE regimen with a four-week increment/decrement interval over 48 weeks; the maximum interval was 12 weeks. Main outcomes included changes in BCVA and CRT from baseline to week 52, additional anatomical outcomes, and treatment burden parameters.ResultsForty-five participants with mean (SD) age of 63.7 (8.3) years were analyzed. At baseline, mean (SD) BCVA and CRT were 58.3 (11.9) letters and 434.4 (116.8) μm, respectively. Changes from baseline in BCVA and CRT were +8.3 (9.3) letters and -138.2 (150.0) μm (both p < 0.001) at week 52, respectively. In addition, 22% (10/45) of patients gained ≥15 letters, 14% (6/44) of participants achieved ≥2-level improvement in diabetic retinopathy severity, and 51% (23/45) demonstrated dry retina at week 52 compared with 13% (6/45) at baseline. In total, 87% (39/45) of patients reached disease stability, entering TAE at week 20. Subsequently, 89% (40/45) of patients reached maximum interval at week 52. Mean (SD) number of injections was 7.7 (1.5) over a period of 52 weeks.ConclusionThis straightforward and practical TAE regimen using intravitreal aflibercept injections resulted in favorable clinical outcomes with minimal treatment burden for DME at week 52.Copyright © 2021, the Chinese Medical Association.

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