Table 3.
Side effects of immunosuppressive treatment in patients with NMOSD during long-term follow-up
| RTX (n = 23) | AZA (n = 32) | MMF (n = 21) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQP4-Ab | + | − | + | − | + | − |
| n | 14 | 9 | 13 | 19 | 8 | 13 |
| Adverse events frequently reported | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Rebound of relapse after withdrawal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Infection | 1 (gingivitis, 7.7%) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Blood routine (LWBC) | 0 | 0 | 2 (6.3%) | 0 | 1 (4.8%) | 0 |
| Liver dysfunction | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 (9.5%) | 0 |
| Hematological malignancy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
An antibody titer of more than or equal to 1:100 was recognized as a seropositive status
RTX rituximab, AZA azathioprine, MMF mycophenolate mofetil, EDSS Expanded Disability Status Scale, ARR annualized relapse rate, LWBC low white blood cell counts