Comparison of neuromyelitis optica spectra according to AQP4 antibody serostatus in a Mexican referral centre

Recent studies report that patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or seropositive NMO spectra disorders display clinical characteristics that are different from those of patients who are seropositive for the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody. To analyse the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of patients with NMO according to their serum AQP4 status. We conducted a retrospective study of 100 patients with NMO who fulfilled the Wingerchuk criteria: 70 were positive for the AQP4 antibody and 30 were seronegative. 70% of the subjects met the criteria for NMO, and 30% met criteria for NMO spectra disorders. The seropositive patients presented greater disability in the scores on the American Spinal Injury Association scale (ASIA) and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (p = 0.034 and 0.004, respectively) compared to seronegatives during the follow-up; in this same group there was greater visual involvement (p = 0.02), a higher number of relapses (p = 0.008) and a greater number of spinal segments involved (p = 0.003). This study provides an overview of the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of patients with NMO according to the AQP4 antibody serostatus. Patients who are seropositive for the AQP4 antibody present greater clinical and imaging involvement.