What does ETDRS mean in CLINICAL MEDICINE

Background

• Diabetic retinopathy occurs when damage to blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, causes swelling, bleeding, and other abnormalities.
• Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can progress to advanced stages, such as macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, leading to vision loss or blindness.

The ETDRS Trial

• The ETDRS was a randomized clinical trial conducted from 1979 to 1994, involving over 3,700 patients with type 1 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.
• The trial compared the effectiveness of different treatment approaches, including:
  • Laser photocoagulation (laser therapy to seal leaking blood vessels)
  • Observation (close monitoring with treatment only if the disease worsened)

Results

• The ETDRS found that laser therapy was more effective than observation in preventing severe vision loss in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
• Specifically, laser therapy reduced the risk of severe vision loss by:
  • 50% in patients with mild to moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy
  • 70% in patients with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy or proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Clinical Guidelines

• Based on the ETDRS results, laser therapy became the standard treatment for diabetic retinopathy.
• The ETDRS also established guidelines for screening, diagnosis, and follow-up care for diabetic patients at risk for diabetic retinopathy.

Current Status

• The ETDRS remains an important reference for the management of diabetic retinopathy, and its findings continue to guide clinical practice.
• However, advancements in technology and treatments, such as anti-VEGF injections and intravitreal steroids, have also contributed to improved outcomes in diabetic retinopathy.