Burden and health care resource utilization in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: findings of a multicountry study.

OBJECTIVE To describe the burden of bilateral neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NV-AMD) on patient-reported functioning and health resource utilization. METHODS A cross-sectional study of 401 patients with bilateral NV-AMD and 471 elderly control subjects without AMD was conducted in 5 countries. Subjects completed a telephone survey, including the National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire, the EuroQol instrument, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and history of falls, fractures, and health care resource utilization. RESULTS The mean age for patients with NV-AMD was 78.1 years, and 65% were women. The patients reported 45% worse vision-related functioning, 13% worse overall well-being, and 30% more anxiety and 42% more depression symptoms than controls after adjusting for covariates (all, P < .001). The effect of NV-AMD was also observed as a doubled fall rate (16% vs 8% [P < .001]) and a quadrupled need for assistance with daily activities (29% vs 7% [P < .001]) in the patients compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS The evidence of extensive decline in quality of life and increased need of daily living assistance for patients with NV-AMD compared with a control population substantiates the need for new treatments that prevent vision loss and progression to blindness.