Meta-analysis of the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab in branch retinal vein occlusion.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To further evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for the treatment of branch retinal vein occlusion in a meta-analysis of previous studies.

METHODS:

Pertinent publications were identified through systemic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register up to July 2012. Data on central macular thickness and best-corrected visual acuity obtained at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment were extracted. Groups of patients receiving IVB were compared with control groups.

RESULTS:

Four randomized controlled and 3 comparative studies were included. A publication bias was not detected by funnel plots, the Egger method, or the Begg method. Best corrected visual acuity measured at 4 and 12 weeks after baseline increased significantly in the IVB groups as compared with the control groups [4 weeks: weighted mean deviation (WMD)=-0.09; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.12, -0.05; P<0.001; at 12 weeks: WMD=-0.21; 95% CI: -0.30, -0.12; P<0.001]. Similarly, reduction in central macular thickness at 12 weeks after baseline was significantly higher in the IVB groups than in the control groups (WMD=-29.02; 95% CI: -50.56, -7.49; P=0.008). The change in central macular thickness at 4 weeks after baseline did not vary significantly between the IVB groups and control groups (WMD=-20.48; 95% CI: -67.30, 26.34; P=0.39). All included studies taken separately reported on a significant increase in visual acuity in the IVB groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with branch retinal vein occlusion experienced a significant benefit in terms of visual improvement and reduction in central macular thickness after the intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.

• Authors: Dan Zhu, Zi Ye Jin, Yong Tao, Jost B Jonas
• Journal: Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (J Ocul Pharmacol Ther) 2013 Jul-Aug Vol. 29 Issue 6 Pg. 523-9 ISSN: 1557-7732 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23537150 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Bevacizumab

Topics

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Bevacizumab
• Humans
• Intravitreal Injections
• Macular Edema (drug therapy, epidemiology, etiology)
• Retinal Vein Occlusion (complications, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Visual Acuity (drug effects)