Anxiety in Patients with Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration

Purpose: The main objective of the study is to investigate the prevalence of anxiety in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of 3 304 nAMD patients and 16 515 age- and gender-matched controls. The proportions of patients with anxiety were compared between the groups using univariate analyses and a multivariate logistic regression model. Proportion of anxiety in patients with nAMD was compared with the proportion of anxiety in controls, matched for age and gender. Data was obtained from the largest health maintenance organization in Israel (Clalit Health Services) with 4 200 000 members. Results: The mean age of patients was 79.7 years; 54.8% were females; Anxiety was more common in patients with nAMD (13.2%) compared to the control group (10.2%) (OR 1.3; 95%CI 1.2–1.5). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between anxiety and nAMD (OR 1.3; 95% CI: 1.2–1.5), adjusted for age, gender, and socio-economic status. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that anxiety is more common in patients with nAMD compared to a control group. Physicians treating patients with nAMD should be aware of this association, in order to provide appropriate care for the anxiety associated with nAMD.