Male patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: different clinical characteristics and worse steroid treatment response

Background Clinical data on male neuromyelitis optica spectrum (NMO) patients remain limited to date. Objective To analyze clinical characteristics, therapeutic responses, and outcomes in Chinese male NMOSD patients. Methods We retrospectively assessed clinical, demographic, treatment, and outcome data of male patients with NMOSD. Results We identified 52 male patients among 471 NMOSD patients. Male patients had more frequent optic neuritis (ON) attacks and less frequent myelitis than female patients. No-remission rates of high-dose intravenous steroid therapy were higher in male patients than in female patients. Conclusion Male NMOSD patients had different clinical characteristics and worse response to high-dose intravenous steroid therapy than female patients.