Efficacy of the combination of intravitreal aflibercept and triamcinolone injections in treatment of diabetic macular edema

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the clinical efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept combined with intravitreal triamcinolone injection in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: 86 patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) were randomly assigned to either a combination therapy group (n = 43) or a control group (n = 43). Both groups received intravitreal aflibercept injection (2 mg, 5 injections per month) while combination therapy group received aflibercept treatment in addition. Central macular thickness (CMT), intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), serum inflammatory factors (IL-6 and IL-8), VEGF and quality of life were determined before and after treatment at multiple time-points. Results: Combination therapy group achieved a significantly higher total effective rate compared to control group (p < 0.05). When compared to the baseline, CMT and BCVA in both groups gradually decreased over 3 months after injection, with combination therapy group showing a greater reduction (p < 0.05). The IOP and SQOL-DVI scores in both groups increased over time in both groups, with a greater increase observed in combination therapy group compared to the baseline (p < 0.05). Serum inflammatory factors decreased in both groups, with combination therapy group having significantly lower levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of intravitreal aflibercept and triamcinolone injection has better efficacy than intravitreal aflibercept injection alone in the treatment of diabetic macular edema, improving visual function and enhancing the quality of life of the patients. More elaborate studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of this synagistic therapeutic combination.