Pactrims Invited Lecture / Ordinary Submission

Abstract

Introduction: Neuromyelitis Optica(NMO) and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders(NMOSD) are considered to be immune-mediated diseases of the central nervous system. We aimed to explore the characteristics of Turkish NMO/NMOSD cohort. Methods: Of 182 patients diagnosed as NMO/NMOSD who were followed by ten different centers in Turkey were included. The detailed demographic, clinical and laboratory data of patients were collected from the medical records. The patients were divided into six subgroups as follows: Classical NMO, single or recurrent attacks of transverse myelitis with longitudinally extending spinal cord lesions (LETM), recurrent optic neuritis (ON) with normal brain MRI or cranial MRI lesions not compatible with multiple sclerosis (MS), optico-spinal MS (OSMS), ON or TM accompanying systemic autoimmune diseases, ON or TM with brain lesions suggesting NMO.Patients with NMO was also subgrouped and evaluated according to age at onset as “early or late onset NMO”. Results: The number of female was predominant (n: 149). The mean age at disease onset was 31.29+ 12.40.The age at disease onset was {\textless}50 years in 166 patients (91.2{\%}, early onset NMO/ NMOSD), while it was {\textgreater}50 years (late onset NMO/NMOSD) in 16.The mean disease duration was 64.65±69.17 months. In NMO group, NMO-IgG positivity was in 62.5{\%}. Annual progression index was significantly higher in the LETM group.The mean EDSS and progression index were higher in late onset NMO. Conclusion: Our results revealed the lower rate of NMO IgG positivity, more severe disability in either NMO/NMOSD patients presenting with transverse myelitis or late onset NMO cases and no dependency between disability and NMO IgG status.