Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Drugs Compared With Panretinal Photocoagulation for the Treatment of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.
Matthew WaltonLaura BojkeMark SimmondsRuth WalkerAlexis LlewellynHelen FulbrightSofia DiasLesley A StewartTom RushDavid H SteelJohn G LawrensonTunde PetoRobert HodgsonPublished in: Value in health : the journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (2024)
Anti-VEGFs are unlikely to be a cost-effective treatment for early PDR compared with PRP. Anti-VEGFs are generally associated with higher costs and similar health outcomes across various scenarios. Although anti-VEGFs were associated with lower diabetic macular edema rates, the number of cases avoided is insufficient to offset the additional treatment costs. Key uncertainties relate to the long-term comparative effectiveness of anti-VEGFs, particularly considering the real-world rates and consequences of treatment nonadherence. Further research on long-term visual acuity and rates of vision-threatening complications may be beneficial in resolving uncertainties.