Impact of systemic parameters before commencing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for diabetic macular edema – Pan-Indian survey of retina specialists

PURPOSE: Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection therapy has emerged as the mainstay of treatment in the management of diabetic macular edema (DME) today. Various systemic risk factors have to be considered before initiating anti-VEGF therapy. The aim of our study was to form a consensus on various systemic factors to consider before starting anti-VEGF therapy for DME. METHODS: A questionnaire was created and sent across to various retina specialists across India. A Google™ form with various questions pertaining to what systemic parameters would one consider before giving anti-VEGF therapy for DME was sent to each of them by email/WhatsApp™/direct telephonic interview. RESULTS: Of the 650 retina specialists contacted, 322 responded to the questionnaire. There was no difference in responses between private and institutional practitioners. The majority would consider RBS (85%), HbA1c (61%), blood pressure (63%), and renal function (57%) as a routine before administering the anti-VEGF injection, while the majority would not consider hemoglobin (63%) or lipid profile (55%) of the patient as a routine practice prior to administering the injection. CONCLUSION: In our study, most VR specialists prefer to consider RBS, HbA1c, BP, and renal profile (creatinine) routinely prior to anti-VEGF injection. We suggest that it is important to consider blood pressure control, glycemic control, HbA1c, Hb, lipid profile, and renal profile (UACR, eGFR, and creatinine) prior to anti-VEGF therapy in all diabetic patients and to discuss the need for statins in patients with dyslipidemias with the physician.