Effects of immunotherapies and prognostic predictors in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a prospective cohort study

Background Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a relapsing autoimmune demyelinating disease of the CNS, often leads to severe visual and/or motor disability. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of the first-line immunotherapies on relapse and disability, and identify the prognostic predictors in NMOSD. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we enrolled patients with NMOSD from Southwest China and performed a long-term follow-up. We compared no immunotherapies (NIT) versus treatment of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), azathioprine (AZA), or only corticosteroid (CS). Cox proportional-hazards model was used to explore the prognostic predictors in NMOSD. Results Ultimately, 281 patients were enrolled during 2009 to 2017. The proportions of relapse, motor disability, and mortality were significantly lower in treatments of MMF and AZA than in NIT (all P