Disease Course and Outcomes in Patients With the Limited Form of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders and Negative AQP4-IgG Serology at Disease Onset:A Prospective Cohort Study
10.3988/jcn.2022.18.4.453
- Author:
Xiaodong CHEN
1
;
Jing ZHOU
;
Rui LI
;
Bingjun ZHANG
;
Yuge WANG
;
Xiaonan ZHONG
;
Yaqing SHU
;
Yanyu CHANG
;
Wei QIU
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Journal of Clinical Neurology
2022;18(4):453-462
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:and Purpose Patients presenting with clinical characteristics that are strongly suggestive of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) have a high risk of developing definite NMOSD in the future. Little is known about the clinical course, treatment, and prognosis of these patients with likely NMOSD at disease onset.
Methods:This study prospectively recruited and visited 24 patients with the limited form of NMOSD (LF-NMOSD) at disease onset from November 2012 to June 2021. Their demographics, clinical course, longitudinal aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) serology, MRI, therapeutic management, and outcome data were collected and analyzed.
Results:The onset age of the cohort was 38.1±12.0 years (mean±standard deviation). The median disease duration was 73.5 months (interquartile range=44.3–117.0 months), and the follow-up period was 54.2±23.8 months. At the end of the last visit, the final diagnosis was categorized into AQP4-IgG-seronegative NMOSD (n=16, 66.7%), AQP4-IgG-seropositive NMOSD (n=7, 29.2%), or multiple sclerosis (n=1, 4.2%). Seven of the 24 patients (29.2%) experienced conversion to AQP4-IgG seropositivity, and the interval from onset to this serological conversion was 37.9±21.9 months. Isolated/mixed area postrema syndrome (APS) was the predominant onset phenotype (37.5%). The patients with isolated/mixed APS onset showed a predilection for conversion to AQP4-IgG seropositivity. All patients experienced a multiphasic disease course, with immunosuppressive therapy reducing the incidence rates of clinical relapse and residual functional disability.
Conclusions:Definite NMOSD may be preceded by LF-NMOSD, particularly isolated/ mixed APS. Intensive long-term follow-up and attack-prevention immunotherapeutic management is recommended in patients with LF-NMOSD.
