This release was uncommonly thorough in explaining the results of the study and its implications. Benefits are accurately described in terms that are meaningful to readers. Costs for the different drugs are provided, and the study methodology is clearly communicated. Discussion of harms and the major alternative to these drugs (laser treatment) would have completed the picture for readers.
Vision problems are significant in both type I and type II diabetics and about 750,000 Americans with diabetic retinopathy have diabetic macular edema, which causes blurred vision. The finding that that three drugs work equally well for people with mild vision impairment has significant implications, because why would anyone pay $17,000 more for a drug that doesn’t work any better?
The costs of the three anti-VEGF drugs evaluated in the study were listed as about $1960 for aflibercept (Eylea), $1200 for ranibizumab (Lucentis) and $70 for bevacizumab (Avastin), per injection. This is satisfactory, although since a treatment course involves multiple injections, we’d like to have seen the total cost of treatment compared without having to do the math ourselves.
These drugs are already used for treatment of macular edema and the purpose of the study was to compare the three. In general, all three show good results, with aflibercept producing slightly better results for those initially exhibiting poorer vision. The release quantifies this clearly in terms of improved ability to read an eye chart.
Nothing is reported about adverse effects either locally in the eye or systemically. While these drugs are standard treatments, a line about potential for infection or other potential harms should have been included. Information about completion rates and reasons for dropouts would also have been welcome.
The release tells us that the results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. And while the story does not include the statistical comparisons of the three drugs, it does show, by vision improvement, the outcomes. Also included are the numbers of patients and the general study methodology. It’s clear from the release that this was a well-conducted study that has important implications for practice.
Vision problems associated with diabetes are well known. There is no disease mongering in this story.
The funding sources and the donation of drugs from the pharmaceutical companies are clearly stated. The Joslin researchers quoted in the article don’t appear to have any direct conflicts of interest with companies involved in the research.
The release discusses three competing drug therapies, but there should have been some mention of the alternative to drugs — laser treatment. How do these results compare with laser outcomes?
Two of these drugs are available specifically for macular edema and the third, although used off label, is also available in proper form and dosage. The story makes this clear. Since availability also relates to cost and who will pay for it — especially this era of high deductible health plans — some comment about the increased availability of the lower-cost option would not have been inappropriate.
Novelty is established in the first line of the release, which states that this is “the first clinical trial directly comparing three drugs most commonly used to treat diabetic macular edema.”
No claims that do not appear in the original paper are made in the release.
Comments
Please note, comments are no longer published through this website. All previously made comments are still archived and available for viewing through select posts.
Our Comments Policy
But before leaving a comment, please review these notes about our policy.
You are responsible for any comments you leave on this site.
This site is primarily a forum for discussion about the quality (or lack thereof) in journalism or other media messages (advertising, marketing, public relations, medical journals, etc.) It is not intended to be a forum for definitive discussions about medicine or science.
We will delete comments that include personal attacks, unfounded allegations, unverified claims, product pitches, profanity or any from anyone who does not list a full name and a functioning email address. We will also end any thread of repetitive comments. We don”t give medical advice so we won”t respond to questions asking for it.
We don”t have sufficient staffing to contact each commenter who left such a message. If you have a question about why your comment was edited or removed, you can email us at feedback@healthnewsreview.org.
There has been a recent burst of attention to troubles with many comments left on science and science news/communication websites. Read “Online science comments: trolls, trash and treasure.”
The authors of the Retraction Watch comments policy urge commenters:
We”re also concerned about anonymous comments. We ask that all commenters leave their full name and provide an actual email address in case we feel we need to contact them. We may delete any comment left by someone who does not leave their name and a legitimate email address.
And, as noted, product pitches of any sort – pushing treatments, tests, products, procedures, physicians, medical centers, books, websites – are likely to be deleted. We don”t accept advertising on this site and are not going to give it away free.
The ability to leave comments expires after a certain period of time. So you may find that you’re unable to leave a comment on an article that is more than a few months old.
You might also like