Asian and African/Caribbean AQP4-NMOSD patient outcomes according to self-identified race and place of residence.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune astrocytopathy characterized by aquaporin-4 antibodies, whose prognosis is influenced by onset age, race, environmental exposures and immunosuppression. Distinguishing the contribution of environment from genetics is challenging. We aimed to compare neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patient outcomes according to self-identified racial group and place of residence.

Racial differences in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate racial differences in the clinical features of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Methods: This retrospective review included 603 patients (304 Asian, 207 Caucasian, and 92 Afro-American/Afro-European), who were seropositive for anti-aquaporin-4 antibody, from 6 centers in Denmark, Germany, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States, and Thailand.

Results: Median disease duration at last follow-up was 8 years (range 0.