Neuromyelitis optica: clinical aspects and epidemilogical in a referral hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica is a demyelinating disease with exclusive clinical, diagnostic and prognoscti features. Objectives: To analize the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Neuromyelitis disease attended in our institution. Patients and methods: We gathered data form patients attended in 2014 in the Neurology service in ward or consultation. Information was obtained in paper and electronic notes. Results: In total 20 patients were attended in the service whose fulfilled the Wingerchuck criteria during 2014. The mean age was 37, 13 patients were female and 7 male, the initial presentation was transverse myelitis in 50% and optic neuritis in 50%. We did not find any different in the initial clinical feature with the relapse rate, On the other hand age was highly realted with relapse. We also made a review of current litterature of pathophysiology, diagnosis management and prognosis. Conclusions: Neuromyelitis optica is found within demyelinating disease spectrum however its pathophysiological features may change this. It has a different epidemiological enviroment with a later mean age of presentation, a worse functional prognosis, a higher relapse rate, more relationship with other autoinmune diseses and according to out study with a higher relationship with psychiatric pathology.