Citicoline may be adjunctive therapy for improving vision-related QoL in glaucoma patients

Researchers conducted randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was used. Patients were randomized to one of the two sequences: either citicoline 500 mg/day oral solution-placebo or placebo-citicoline 500 mg/day oral solution. Switch of treatments was done after 3 months; patients were then followed for other 6 months. Follow-up included 3-month, 6-month, and 9-month visits.

The key findings of the study are

• The primary pre-specified outcome of the analysis reached statistical significance (p = 0.0413), showing greater improvement after citicoline oral solution.

• There was an increase in the composite score in both arms compared to baseline, but it was significant only for the placebo-citicoline arm (p = 0.0096, p = 0.0007, and p = 0.0006 for the three time-points compared to baseline).

• The effect of citicoline was stronger in patients with vision-related quality of life more affected by glaucoma at baseline.

Researchers concluded that “This is the first placebo-controlled clinical study evaluating the effect of a medical treatment aiming at improving vision-related quality of life in glaucomatous patients.” Citicoline therapy may have a future role as an adjunctive therapy for improving vision-related quality of life in patients with glaucoma.

Reference: Rossetti, L., Goni, F., Montesano, G. et al. The effect of citicoline oral solution on quality of life in patients with glaucoma: the results of an international, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over trial. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 261, 1659–1668 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-022-05947-5.