Table 1.
Demographic data of evaluable NMOSD and MS patients during the follow-up period
| NMOSD (n = 25) | MS (n = 29) | P -value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age at 1st attack (years old) | 37.8 ± 13.6 | 33.7 ± 9.2 | 0.194 |
| Male: female | 3 : 22 | 7 : 22 | 0.310 |
| Symptoms during the study period | |||
| Weakness (%) | 25(100) | 20(69) | 0.002* |
| Sensory disturbance (%) | 25(100) | 23(79) | 0.025* |
| Blurred vision (%) | 25(100) | 19(66) | 0.001* |
| Consciousness change (%)† | 8(32) | 1(3) | 0.008* |
| Diplopia (%) | 2(8) | 10(34) | 0.025* |
| Dysphagia/dysarthria (%) | 0(0) | 7(24) | 0.012* |
| Urine/stool retention (%) | 12(48) | 3(10) | 0.003* |
| Hiccup (%) | 2(8) | 0(0) | 0.210 |
| Polyuria >3000 ml/day (%) | 2(8) | 0(0) | 0.210 |
| Endocrinopathy (%) | 7(28) | 3(10) | 0.160 |
| Diabetes mellitus (%) | 3(12) | 2(7) | 0.653 |
| Thyroid dysfunction (%) | 4(16) | 1(3) | 0.170 |
| Respiratory failure (%) | 5(20) | 0(0) | 0.017* |
| Expired (%) | 2(8) | 0(0) | 0.210 |
| Follow-up duration (months) | 129.0 ± 69.5 | 77.6 ± 64.2 | 0.007* |
| Annual relapse rate (%) | 65.0 ± 50.1 | 54.4 ± 47.3 | 0.427 |
| AQP4 antibody (%) | 25 (100) | 0 (0) | 0.000* |
| Long term steroid, IST and DMT | |||
| Steroid | 22 (88) | 8 (28) | 0.000* |
| Steroid + Azathioprine | 5 (20) | 0 (0) | 0.017* |
| Interferon beta | 2 (8) | 10 (35) | 0.025* |
| Copaxone | 1 (4) | 1 (3) | 1.000 |
| Fingolimod | 0 (0) | 9 (31) | 0.002* |
NMOSD: neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder; MS: multiple sclerosis; IST: immunosuppressant therapy; DMT: disease modifying therapy.
*Statistically significant difference between NMOSD and MS.
†Conscious change due to sepsis, epilepsy, shock, or other brain structure lesions.