Azathioprine plus corticosteroid treatment in Chinese patients with neuromyelitis optica

W. Qiu; A.G. Kermode; R. Li; Y. Dai; Y. Wang; J. Wang; X. Zhong; C. Li; Z. Lu; X. Hu

doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2015.01.028

Back

Azathioprine plus corticosteroid treatment in Chinese patients with neuromyelitis optica

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Azathioprine plus corticosteroid treatment in Chinese patients with neuromyelitis optica

W. Qiu, A.G. Kermode, R. Li, Y. Dai, Y. Wang, J. Wang, X. Zhong, C. Li, Z. Lu and X. Hu

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, Vol.22(7), pp.1178-1182

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2015.01.028

Files and links (1)

url

Link to Published Version *Subscription may be requiredView

Abstract

We investigated the efficacy of azathioprine (AZA) plus long-term low dose corticosteroids in Chinese patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) at the Center for Demyelinating Diseases, South China. We prospectively enrolled patients between June 2010 and June 2014. Annualized relapse rate (ARR), expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were analyzed retrospectively. Of 77 patients with NMO/NMOSD (four males, 73 females; age range: 4–69 years), median disease duration before initiation of AZA was 32.0 months (range: 2.0–197.0). Median post-treatment follow-up was 23 months (range: 6–58) and 44 patients (57.1%) were relapse-free at median follow-up 19 months (range: 6–51). Pre-treatment ARR was 0.923, and post-treatment ARR was 0 (p < 0.0001). Survival analysis indicated a significantly lower risk of relapse (hazard ratio 0.522; 95% confidence interval 0.377–0.722; p < 0.0001). Significant improvements were shown in the EDSS (3.0 versus 1.0; p < 0.0001) and mRS (2.0 versus 1.0; p < 0.0001). Our study provides evidence supporting the use of AZA plus a low dose corticosteroid as an effective and safe strategy which is associated with a reduction in the risk of relapse in Chinese patients with NMO.

Details

Title: Azathioprine plus corticosteroid treatment in Chinese patients with neuromyelitis optica
Authors/Creators: W. Qiu (Author/Creator) - Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
A.G. Kermode (Author/Creator) - Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
R. Li (Author/Creator) - Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
Y. Dai (Author/Creator) - Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
Y. Wang (Author/Creator) - Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
J. Wang (Author/Creator) - Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
X. Zhong (Author/Creator) - Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
C. Li (Author/Creator) - Sun Yat-sen University
Z. Lu (Author/Creator) - Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
X. Hu (Author/Creator) - Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
Publication Details: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, Vol.22(7), pp.1178-1182
Publisher: Churchill Livingstone
Identifiers: 991005541043907891
Copyright: 2015 Elsevier Ltd
Murdoch Affiliation: Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites

Metrics

35 Record Views

39 Times Cited - Web of Science

See more details

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.203 Neuromuscular Disorders; 1.203.147 Multiple Sclerosis
Web Of Science research areas: Clinical Neurology; Neurosciences
ESI research areas: Neuroscience & Behavior