Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2023
Multicenter StudyEarly rituximab treatment reduces long-term disability in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) causes relapsing inflammatory attacks in the central nervous system, leading to disability. As rituximab, a B-lymphocyte-depleting monoclonal antibody, is an effective in preventing NMOSD relapses, we hypothesised that earlier initiation of rituximab can also reduce long-term disability of patients with NMOSD. ⋯ Earlier initiation of rituximab treatment may prevent long-term disability worsening in patients with NMOSD, especially among those with early to middle-age onset, female sex and severe attacks.