Diabetic Macular Edema: Employing Inflammatory Markers to Predict Improved Visual Outcomes

1.00 CME

60 MINS

SAVE

Overview

Provider Statement

This continuing education activity is provided by Vindico Medical Education

Support Statement

This activity is supported by an educational grant from AbbVie Inc.

Activity Description

Real-world outcomes with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in the treatment of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) do not always replicate those seen in clinical studies. In part, these discrepancies are due to treatment burden, lack of adherence, undertreatment, and incomplete response to anti-VEGF therapies. The identification of several inflammatory cytokines in the aqueous and vitreous humor whose concentrations correlate closely with the severity of DME defined their role in the pathogenesis of DME and as molecular targets for therapy. Corticosteroids are a rational approach for the treatment of DME due to their ability to inhibit several cytokines and chemokines, while reducing retinal neovascularization and permeability. In this CE monograph, experts in the field evaluate the significance of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in the pathogenesis of DME and assess the latest clinical evidence regarding treatments that target inflammation in DME to improve visual outcomes.

Target Audience

The intended audience for this activity is retina specialists and other health care professionals involved in the management of patients with DME.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

Evaluate the significance of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in the pathogenesis of DME.
Summarize the latest clinical evidence regarding treatments that target inflammation in DME and improve visual outcomes.

Activity Chair

Judy E. Kim, MD, FARVO, FASRS
Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Professor, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Director, Teleophthalmology and Research
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI

Faculty

Sophie J. Bakri, MD
Chair, Department of Ophthalmology
Whitney and Betty MacMillan Professor of Ophthalmology in Honor of Robert R. Waller, MD
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN

Michael S. Ip, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology
Medical Director, Doheny Image Reading Center
Doheny Eye Institute
University of California – Los Angeles
Pasadena, CA

Medical Writer

Valerie Zimmerman, PhD

The articles in this monograph were composed by medical writer Valerie Zimmerman, PhD, based on the presentations of Drs. Bakri, Ip and Kim during a satellite symposium held on January 17, 2023. The monograph has been approved by each of the faculty individually as an accurate representation of their presentations.

Planner/Reviewer

Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP

Accreditation

ACCME Jointly accredited In support of improving patient care, Vindico Medical Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Designation

Vindico Medical Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This enduring material is approved for 1 year from the date of original release, April 30, 2023, to April 29, 2024.

How to Participate in This Activity and Obtain CE Credit

To participate in this activity, you must read the objectives, answer the polling and pretest questions, view the content, and complete the posttest and evaluation. Provide only one (1) correct answer for each question. A satisfactory score is defined as answering 7 of the 10 posttest questions correctly. Upon receipt of the completed materials, if a satisfactory score on the posttest is achieved, Vindico Medical Education will issue an AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ certificate.

Disclosures

Vindico Medical Education adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a continuing education activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Relationship information is accurate at the time of content development.

Activity Chair and Faculty report the following relevant financial relationship(s)

Sophie J. Bakri, MD
Consultant: AbbVie, Adverum, Allergan, Apellis, Cholgene, EyePoint, iLumen, Iveric Bio, Kala, Genentech, Novartis, Outlook, Pixium, Regenxbio, Regeneron, Rejuvitas, Re-Vana, Roche, VoxelCloud, Zeiss

Michael S. Ip, MD
Consultant: Alimera, Allergan, Amgen, Apellis, Clearside, Novartis, OccuRx, Regeneron
Independent Research Contractor: Biogen, Genentech, Iveric Bio, Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Regenxbio

Judy E. Kim, MD, FARVO, FASRS
Consultant: Alimera, Allergan, Apellis, Astella, Bausch + Lomb, Clearside, DORC, Genentech, Notal Vision, Novartis, Outlook Therapeutics, Regeneron
Independent Research Contractor: Heidelberg, Optos

Medical Writer reports the following relevant financial relationship(s)

Valerie Zimmerman, PhD
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Planner/Reviewer reports the following relevant financial relationship(s)

Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Vindico Medical Education staff report the following relevant financial relationship(s)

No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Signed disclosures are on file at Vindico Medical Education, Office of Medical Affairs and Compliance.

Unlabeled and Investigational Usage

The audience is advised that this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled uses of FDA-approved products or to products not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. The faculty members have been made aware of their obligation to disclose such usage. All activity participants will be informed if any speakers/authors intend to discuss either non–FDA-approved or investigational use of products/devices.

Copyright Statement

Created and published by Vindico Medical Education, 6900 Grove Road, Building 100, Thorofare, NJ 08086-9447. Telephone: 856-994-9400; Fax: 856-384-6680. Printed in the USA. Copyright © 2023 Vindico Medical Education. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The material presented at or in any Vindico Medical Education continuing education activity does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Vindico Medical Education. Neither Vindico Medical Education nor the faculty endorse or recommend any techniques, commercial products, or manufacturers. The faculty/authors may discuss the use of materials and/or products that have not yet been approved by the FDA. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information before treating patients or utilizing any product.