Follow-up rates for patients needing regular intravitreal therapy in rural north-western Western Australia.

Abstract

Regular intravitreal injections are an important treatment for significant vision impairment caused by diabetic macular oedema. Barriers to intravitreal treatment for rural Australian patients include travel time to appointments, especially as patients face a high volume of other medical appointments for their diabetes and related co-morbidities. This audit addresses intravitreal injection compliance by identifying patients lost to follow up in north-western Western Australia. A retrospective audit of all injections was performed in the Pilbara and Kimberley between January and December 2018. Outcome measures included total injections, number of injection patients, rates of patients lost to follow-up by region, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status and diagnosis. The audit was extended to include the first 6 months of 2019 to ensure further treatment plan timeframes had lapsed. A total of 140 patients received injections, resulting in 346 injections. Ten patients were excluded due to relocation to another region and three patients were deceased. Seventeen patients were lost to follow-up (12.1%). Of those lost to follow-up, 14.3% were in the Pilbara region and 10% in the Kimberley region. Similar rates with respect to Indigenous status with 12.6% identifying as Aboriginal and 11.4% not. 15.8% were treated for diabetic macular oedema and 3.8% for age-related macular degeneration. The logistics of providing appropriate intravitreal therapy, including scheduling timely visits and working in hospital and community-controlled settings, requires a specific focus on those needing intravitreal treatment. The study highlights the importance of coordination and systems to enable patients to receive injections in remote settings. Further analysis of optimal patient management plans for appropriate frequency and treatment outcomes is required.