Clinical characteristics of Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD) and factors affecting treatment response

Abstract

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an autoimmune, inflammatory and demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system with predominant affection of the optic nerves and spinal cord. The global incidence and prevalence of NMO is incompletely characterized. To be more specific, it is unclear whether disease severity, frequency, clinical picture, and gender predominance vary between geographical regions. It’s really challenging to obtain epidemiological and demographic data for a disorder like NMO, as it’s relatively uncommon (Pandit et al., 2015). Optic neuritis (ON) and transverse myelitis are the most common symptoms at disease onset, with no significant difference between AQP4-IgG seropositive and seronegative patients (Jarius, et al., 2012). While NMO was classically defined by simultaneous ON and transverse myelitis, NMOSD incorporates other phenotypes. Core clinical characteristics include ON, acute myelitis, area postrema and/or other brainstem syndrome, diencephalic, and cerebral signs/symptoms (Wingerchuk, et al., 2015).