Age of onset correlates with clinical characteristics and prognostic outcomes in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Journal: Frontiers in Immunology; December 8, 2022
Author(s): Yacen Hu, Qiying Sun, Fang Yi, Lingyan Yao, Yun Tian, Haiyun Tang, Mengchuan Luo, Nina Xie, Zhiqin Wang, Xinxin Liao, Lin Zhou, Hongwei Xu, Yafang Zhou
Does the age at which NMOSD starts affect how the disease behaves?
This study looked at whether the age at which a person develops NMOSD affects their symptoms, disease course, and long-term outcomes.
The researchers reviewed medical records of 298 patients with NMOSD. Patients were divided into two groups:
- The early-onset group, where the disease started before the age of 50 years
- The late-onset group, where the disease started at age 50 years or older.
The late-onset group was further divided into two subgroups:
- Relatively-late-onset, where the disease started at age 50-70 years
- Very-late-onset, where the disease started at age 70 years or older.
Patients with later onset were more likely to have spinal cord inflammation (transverse myelitis) as their first symptom, while those with earlier onset were more likely to have optic nerve inflammation (optic neuritis) or brain-related symptoms.
Compared to patients with earlier onset, patients with later onset had fewer relapses overall, but their MRIs usually showed longer spinal lesions and level of disability was worse by the end of the observation time.
Overall, the study suggests that the age at which NMOSD begins may have a bearing on the symptoms, disease course, and level of disability patients experience.
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