autoimmune diseases

Polyautoimmunity may raise relapse risk in NMOSD: Study

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) often have other co-occurring autoimmune diseases and those who do have a significantly higher risk of a relapse than people with NMOSD alone, a study in Portugal suggests. Long-term disability outcomes didn’t differ between the two groups, however, suggesting “appropriate treatment may…

When your body’s defenses go to war with your hair

Sometimes I stand in the shower, and time just slips by. I numbly run my fingers through my thick hair, and I’m immediately brought back to reality by the chunk of hair in my hand. Hair loss can be a side effect of several medications, including prednisone,…

Milk production hormone prolactin linked to active NMOSD, study finds

Blood levels of prolactin, a hormone mostly known for its role in milk production, are significantly elevated in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) as compared with healthy adults, a study found. Among NMOSD patients, these high prolactin levels were significantly associated with active disease, sensory-related symptoms, and…

How I’m grappling with symptoms of 3 more autoimmune disorders

My health situation has become incredibly trying recently. I’m hesitant to shed any tears because I fear they won’t stop. When I was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), I was told I might face one or more additional autoimmune diseases in my lifetime. Initially, this warning seemed…

Treatment found for 3 extremely rare cases of NMOSD and MOGAD

Testing positive for self-reactive antibodies causing both neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD) — two related autoimmune disorders — is extremely rare, but it appears to manifest more as NMOSD, a study in India suggests. So-called double positivity was found in three of…

China OKs Clinical Testing of First CAR T-cell Therapy in NMOSD

Authorities in China have granted IASO Biotherapeutics the go-ahead to begin clinical testing of the experimental CAR T-cell therapy equecabtagene autoleucel in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), IASO announced. NMOSD is an autoimmune disorder wherein the body’s immune system launches an inflammatory attack that damages parts…

Claims Analysis Shows High Comorbidities, Care Costs for Patients

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) experience a high prevalence of co-existing conditions, or comorbidities, which are associated with much higher healthcare costs, a claims analysis demonstrated. In particular, pharmacy costs for NMOSD patients with any comorbidity were “significantly higher” than for those with no co-existing conditions: a…