[Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: profile of a cohort according to the 2015 diagnostic criteria].

INTRODUCTION: The new 2015 criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) have been recently incorporated in the study of different international cohorts.

AIM: To describe clinical-radiological characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with NMOSD according to the 2015 criteria.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 36 patients diagnosed with NMOSD according to serologic AQP4 status (positive, negative, unknown and negative + unknown). Clinical and radiological characteristics were compared and possible disability prognostic factors were evaluated.

RESULTS: AQP4 were positive in 7 patients, negative in 12 and unknown in 17. Age of presentation was 36.6 ± 16 years, with higher female proportion (4:1). Mean disease duration was 7.4 ± 7.6 years. Most frequent presenting symptoms were acute myelitis (61%), optic neuritis (33%) and area postrema syndrome (11%). Most frequent MRI lesion was longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (75%). All patients received acute treatment during attacks, and preventive treatment was used in 81% (azathioprine and rituximab mostly prescribed). Median EDSS was 2.0 at the end of follow-up. No differences were observed in any of the variables comparing serologic status. Age of first attack was prognostic, with direct correlation with EDSS. First attack in < 30 years was protective, meanwhile > 50 years old patients had increased risk of disability.

CONCLUSIONS: The 2015 criteria allow the description and classification of NMOSD patients within different cohorts. Age of first attack seems to be a prognostic factor for developing disability.