ABSTRACT
AIM:To observe and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of intravitreal injection of conbercept or aflibercept in the treatment of pachychoroid neovasculopathy(PNV).METHODS:Retrospective case-control study. A total of 33 patients(35 eyes)diagnosed as PNV in our hospital from February 2018 to October 2022 were divided into 14 cases(14 eyes)in conbercept group and 19 cases(21 eyes)in aflibercept group according to the treatment methods. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT)and central macular thickness(CMT), injection times and clinical complications of the two groups were compared before and 1, 3 and 6mo after treatment.RESULTS:BCVA, CMT and SFCT in both groups were significantly improved after 1, 3 and 6mo of treatment(all P<0.05). During the whole follow-up period, the number of intravitreal injections in the two groups were 2(2, 3)and 2(1.5, 2)respectively, and there was no significant difference(P=0.423). No serious complications occurred during the treatment of the two groups.CONCLUSION:Both intravitreal injections of conbercept and aflibercept can treat PNV with similar therapeutic effects. The desired clinical outcome is achieved by improving the anatomy while improving visual acuity.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Microalbuminuria (MAU) is a key component of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and is an early sign of diabetic nephropathy as well. Although routine Western medicine treatments are given to MetS patients to control high blood pressure, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, some patients still experience progressive renal lesions and it is necessary to modify and improve the treatment strategy for MetS patients.</p><p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy of Yiqi Huaju Qingli Herb Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in MetS patients with MAU when it is combined with routine Western medicine treatment.</p><p><b>DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS</b>Sixty patients with MetS were randomized into the Chinese herbal formula group (CHF, Yiqi Huaju Qingli formula treatment in combination with Western medicine) and control group (placebo in combination with Western medicine). All treatments were administered for 12 weeks.</p><p><b>MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES</b>Urinary microalbumin (MA), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), 24-hour total urine protein (24-hTP), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (2-hPPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), blood lipid profile and blood pressure were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, CHF treatment significantly decreased BMI (P<0.05), WC (P<0.01) and WHR (P<0.01). Both groups had significant decreases in FPG, 2-hPPG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, MA, and UACR, with CHF treatment showing better effects on these parameters compared with the control treatment (P<0.05). Both treatments significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerol (TAG), and a greater reduction in TAG was observed with CHF treatment (P<0.05). The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not change in the control group after treatment (P>0.05), whereas it significantly increased with CHF treatment (P<0.01). Compared with before the treatment, significant decreases in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure were observed in both groups (P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined treatment of Yiqi Huaju Qingli Formula and Western medicine significantly alleviated MAU, which may correlate with the improvement of insulin sensitivity and glucose and lipid metabolism. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER: This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the identifier ChiCTR-TRC-11001633.</p>