Abstract
Objective:
To compare baseline characteristics of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) patients from different racial groups in NMOBase, a global online registry.
Background:
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients from different racial groups differ with respect to demographic and disease-related characteristics. NMOSD is much rarer than MS and much less is known about disease presentation in patients of different racial backgrounds.
Design/Methods:
Retrospective analysis of NMOBase, a global online registry for patients with NMOSD.
Results:
As of October, 2017, NMOBase enrolled 418 NMOSD patients from 14 countries on 5 continents. Race/ethnicity was available for 281 patients (67%): 137 (49%) were Caucasian, 117 (42%) – Asian, 18 (6%) - African and 8 (3%) - Hispanic. Age of symptom onset among Caucasians was 37.5 +/−14.1, which was significantly higher than in patients of Asian (31.3 +/−13.7, p< 0.001) and African (30.1 +/−14.9, p<0.05) descent, but similar to that of Hispanics (45 (+/−9.89), p>0.1). Proportion of women was similar in the four groups (ranged from 78 – 83% in the 3 larger groups and 100% in Hispanics). The four groups were also similar with respect inaugural attack location (spinal cord in 45–75%; optic nerve in 38–56%, brainstem in 10–13%, supratentorial in 0–6%).
Conclusions:
Preliminary analyses indicate that NMOSD patients of African and Asian ancestry have younger onset of disease compared to Caucasians, but similar male:female ratio and distribution of locations of initial attack. Full analysis of the NMOBase registry will be presented.