Orphanet J Rare Dis
April 2022
Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare, neurological disease that places a significant burden on patients, their carers, and healthcare systems.
Objectives: To estimate patient and carer health utilities and costs of NMOSD within the UK setting.
Methods: Patients with NMOSD and their carers, recruited via a regional specialist treatment centre, completed a postal questionnaire that included a resource use measure, the EuroQoL (EQ)-5D-5L, EQ-5D-VAS, Vision and Quality of Life Index (VisQoL), Carer Experience Survey (CES) and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Objective: To identify factors predictive of relapse risk and disability in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein associated disease (MOGAD).
Setting: Patients were seen by the neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) service in Liverpool, UK, a national referral centre for adult patients with MOGAD, NMOSD and related conditions.
Participants: Patients with MOGAD=76 from England, Northern Ireland and Scotland were included in this cohort study.
Background: Seasonal variation in incidence and exacerbations has been reported for neuroinflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). It is unknown whether seasonality also influences aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) disease and myelin-oligodendrocyte antibody (MOG-Ab) disease.
Objective: We examined the seasonal distribution of attacks in AQP4-Ab disease and MOG-Ab disease.
Importance: Antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein IgG (MOG-IgG) are increasingly detected in patients with non-multiple sclerosis-related demyelination, some of whom manifest a neuromyelitis optica (NMO) phenotype. Cortical involvement, encephalopathy, and seizures are rare in aquaporin 4 antibody (AQP4-IgG)-related NMO in the white European population. However, the authors encountered several patients with seizures associated with MOG-IgG disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To study the effect of pregnancy on the frequency of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) relapse and evaluate rates of pregnancy-related complications in an international multicenter setting.
Methods: We administered a standardized survey to 217 women with NMOSD from 7 medical centers and reviewed their medical records. We compared the annualized relapse rate (ARR) during a baseline period 2 years prior to a participant's first pregnancy to that during pregnancy and to the 9 months postpartum.
Antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) have been described in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) without aquaporin-4 antibodies (AQP4-IgG). We aimed to identify the proportion of AQP4-IgG-negative NMOSD patients who are seropositive for MOG-IgG. In a cross sectional study, we reviewed all patients seen in the National NMO clinic over the last 4 years (after the availability of MOG-IgG testing), including clinical information, MRI, and antibody tests.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm
May 2017
Objective: To study the association between hormonal exposures and disease onset in a cohort of women with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).
Methods: Reproductive history and hormone use were assessed using a standardized reproductive survey administered to women with NMOSD (82% aquaporin-4 antibody positive) at 8 clinical centers. Using multivariable regression, we examined the association between reproductive exposures and age at first symptom onset (FS).
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
February 2017
Importance: Chronic, intractable neuropathic pain is a common and debilitating consequence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) myelitis, with no satisfactory treatment; few studies have yet to explore its aetiology.
Objective: To establish if myelitis-associated chronic pain in NMOSD is related to the craniocaudal location of spinal cord lesions.
Method: (1) Retrospective cohort of 76 aquaporin 4-antibody (AQP4-Ab)-positive patients from Oxford and Liverpool's national NMOSD clinics, assessing current pain and craniocaudal location of cord lesion contemporary to pain onset.
Background: The international panel for neuromyelitis optica (NMO) diagnosis has proposed diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD).
Objectives: We assessed the impact of these criteria on diagnostic rates in a large cohort of patients.
Methods: We identified and applied the 2006 and 2015 criteria to all patients ( n = 176) seen in the NMO and non-multiple sclerosis central nervous system demyelination clinic (part of the UK NMO service) from January 2013 to May 2015.
Aim: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare neuro-inflammatory condition characterized by acute relapses causing severe visual or physical disability. The impact on family members and their experiences have not been studied. The study aims were to explore the lived experience of partners of people with NMO and to investigate potential carer burden in this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Our primary objective was to examine the neuropsychological and psychopathological profile of patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and compare these to multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy control (HC) groups. We also examined for relationships between cognitive and psychiatric variables and clinical factors including accumulated neurological disability and disease duration.
Methods: A neuropsychological test battery was administered along with a structured psychiatric interview and quantitative measures of mood symptoms.
Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an auto-immune disease that can cause severe visual and mobility impairments. Research on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in NMO is scarce, limiting knowledge on factors influencing HRQoL and support needs.
Aim: This study provides the first qualitative exploration of HRQoL in NMO, conducted to provide a conceptual framework for the development of an NMO patient-reported outcome measure.
Background: Transverse myelitis (TM) associated with Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) can be severe and is well known to reduce mobility early in the disease. However the burden of bladder and bowel dysfunction is unknown and overlooked. We studied the frequency of bladder and bowel dysfunction and their impact on quality of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuromyelitis optica typically presents at a median age of 40-50 years. The myelitis is usually of acute onset, long (>3 vertebral segments) and causes severe sensorimotor and bladder and bowel disturbances. We describe a 73-year-old Caucasian woman with aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica whose index event was intermittent paroxysmal tonic spasms (and no other myelitis features) that recurred for 6 months and was associated with a short spinal cord lesion on MRI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Azathioprine (AZA) is a common immunosuppressive drug used for relapse prevention in neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
Objectives: The objective of this paper is to assess efficacy, tolerability and retention of AZA in a large NMO cohort.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 103 aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMO and NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients treated with AZA.
Importance: Neuromyelitis optica is associated with severe neurodisability if not recognized and treated promptly. Several autoimmune disorders are associated with this condition and may vary in their presentation. It is essential that clinicians are aware of the uncommon presenting features of neuromyelitis optica and associated autoimmune conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThough pain in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has been described in two recent reports, the proportion with true neuropathic pain (NP), its features, impact on activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life has not been well characterised. A cross-sectional study of 50 NMO patients with transverse myelitis was performed using Douleur Neuropathique 4, Brief Pain Inventory, Extended Disability Status Scale and Short Form 36. NP was identified in 62% of patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare autoimmune condition characterised by acute relapses of optic neuritis and extensive transverse myelitis. The aim of this qualitative study was to develop an improved understanding of the experiences of people living with NMO.
Method: Fifteen participants completed a semi-structured interview and data were interpreted using a constant comparative method.
Prompt treatment of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) relapses with steroids or plasma exchange (PLEX) often prevents irreversible disability. The objective of this study is to report the use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) as treatment for acute relapses in NMO. A retrospective review of 10 patients treated with IVIG for acute relapses was conducted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an uncommon, demyelinating disease that causes long-term disability in adults. Though much has recently been learned about its pathogenesis, there are still only a few studies regarding the epidemiology of NMO. The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiology of NMO among adults in the Merseyside county of the United kingdom.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Neuropathic pruritus (itch) is an uncommon, but well described, symptom in neurology. There are itch-specific neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. We noted excessive pruritus in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBACKGROUND People are not expected to die from multiple sclerosis although, as the condition progresses over a period of time, some people become increasingly disabled and will require assistance with all activities of daily living. Their partners invariably carry out these tasks. OBJECTIVE To gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of the partner living with and caring for a spouse disabled by multiple sclerosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMultiple sclerosis (MS) typically affects people aged 20-40 years and, by its very nature, is characterized by unpredictability, uncertainty and variability, and is therefore bound to have an impact on children who have a parent with MS. There has been little work done to assess the needs of young people living with MS in their family. A series of workshops specifically aimed at 9-14-year-olds who have a parent with MS have been successfully conducted.
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