relapse

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) may experience gradual shrinkage, or atrophy, of the brain even during periods without relapses, according to a new study that challenges the long-held view that most neurological damage in NMOSD occurs mainly during relapses. The researchers also found that starting biologic therapies earlier…

Use of the approved therapy Uplizna (inebilizumab) reduces the risk of relapse and worsening disability in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), regardless of whether patients had previously received conventional immunosuppressive treatments. These are the findings of a post-hoc analysis of data from the Phase 2/3…

For a rare group of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients who test negative for two self-reactive antibodies, being older than 32 at disease onset may increase the risk of relapses, a study found. In contrast, spinal cord involvement, with or without optic nerve inflammation, at disease onset was…

Ofatumumab, a medication approved for multiple sclerosis (MS), may effectively prevent relapses and disability in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a study in China. At their last follow-up, about 80% of the 112 patients analyzed were free from relapses, and more than 60% experienced significant reductions…

When I felt the familiar heaviness in my body, I bravely faced it. “It’s OK,” I told myself. “I’ve been here before and recovered. I can do this.” As I lay in the hospital bed, a prisoner to the many doctors and specialists who checked on me throughout the day…

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…

Nearly all neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients who start taking Enspryng (satralizumab) are free of relapses after six months, according to interim data from an ongoing post-marketing surveillance study in Japan. With a relapse rate of only 5% over six months, the findings were “comparable or lower…

Most neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients who start taking Enspryng (satralizumab) remain free of relapses for at least a year, with some being able to stop treatment with oral glucocorticoids, according to a study of real-world data. The findings are consistent with those of SAkuraStar (NCT02073279)…

A severe attack or a higher annual relapse rate before starting azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was associated with a poor response in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a small study shows. An unsatisfactory response to either treatment, defined as a severe relapse or two or more…

A history of smoking is associated with poorer recovery from disease relapses in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a study reports. Findings indicate that patients who smoke or are past smokers are more likely to have neurological lesions that persist months after the relapse, and that these…