Clinical burden of relapses in aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A single center cohort analysis

A retrospective, observational analysis of 47 patients with aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD) enrolled at the University of Utah healthcare system was conducted. Visual acuity, neurological disability, and pain medication use were compared in relapsing versus nonrelapsing patients. The median observation period was 3.6 years (range: 0.0-11.4 years); the annual relapse rate was 0.1376 (95% confidence interval: 0.0874, 0.191). Relapsing patients (n = 14) exhibited diminished visual acuity, clinically meaningful worsening of neurological disability, and greater pain medication use than nonrelapsing patients (n = 33). Therapies that reduce the risk of relapses should be considered when making treatment decisions.

Automated summary

This retrospective observational analysis of 47 patients with AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD found that patients with a higher risk of relapse exhibited diminished visual acuity, worsening of neurological disability, and greater pain medication use. Therapies targeting relapse prevention should be considered in treatment decisions.