If pharma companies could develop and improve treatment, it may help alleviate the heavy societal burden associated with diabetic macular edema.
New York, NY (PRWEB) November 10, 2014
Diabetic macular edema is more prevalent among patients with type 1 diabetes than patients with type 2, according to new findings from Kantar Health’s National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS). The research will be presented today at the 17th Annual ISPOR (International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research) European Congress in Amsterdam.
The symptoms of diabetic macular edema include blurry vision, double vision and eventually blindness if left untreated. The condition is more common among patients who treat their diabetes with insulin than those who do not use insulin, and most patients with diabetic macular edema were diagnosed more than 15 years ago.
Kantar Health’s data also showed a significant association between diabetic macular edema and humanistic and economic outcomes in Europe. Patients with diabetic macular edema reported significantly higher levels of work impairment (32 percent) compared with patients without diabetic macular edema (26 percent). In addition, patients with diabetic macular edema reported more healthcare provider visits in the past six months compared with the control group (11.7 versus 8.9).
“Diabetic macular edema is a serious condition. It is a precursor to diabetic retinopathy and is the leading cause of vision impairment and blindness in the working-age population,” said Marc Pignot, Ph.D., Senior Director, Project Management, Real World Research & Value, with Kantar Health. “Our data suggests this condition places a large burden on the affected patients. If pharma companies could develop and improve treatment, it may help alleviate the heavy societal burden associated with diabetic macular edema.”
About the National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS)
The study’s results were drawn from the 2013 5EU (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) NHWS, a nationally representative, self-administered survey conducted annually. Topics covered include the health status, attitudes, behaviors and outcomes among adults 18 or older.
Kantar Health conducts the NHWS in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America. The survey is the largest self-reported dataset in the healthcare industry.
About Kantar Health
Kantar Health is a leading global healthcare consulting firm and trusted advisor to many pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device and diagnostic companies worldwide. It combines evidence-based research capabilities with deep scientific, therapeutic and clinical knowledge, commercial development know-how, and brand and marketing expertise to help clients evaluate opportunities, launch products and maintain brand and market leadership.
Kantar Health deeply understands the influence of patients, payers and physicians, especially as they relate to the performance and payment of medicines and the delivery of healthcare services. Its 600+ healthcare industry specialists work across the product lifecycle, from preclinical development to launch, acting as catalysts to successful decision-making in life sciences and helping clients prioritize their product development and portfolio activities, differentiate their brands and drive product success post-launch. Kantar Health is part of Kantar, the data investment management division of WPP. For more information, please visit http://www.kantarhealth.com.