Every attack puts patients at risk for potentially irreversible disability1,2
Visual impairment, pain, and paralysis are just some of the ways that Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) can impact patients’ lives.1-3
HOSPITALIZATIONS
MANY PATIENTS WITH NMOSD EXPERIENCE A HIGH BURDEN OF DISEASE
WITHIN 1 YEAR OF A PATIENT’S INDEX DATE4*
35% to 60%
of patients required an ER visit, and many had multiple visits.
2.8 to 5.2
ER visits per patient, on average.
22% to 54%
of patients required inpatient admission.
7.8 to 9.6
days spent in the hospital per admission, on average.
*Based on a retrospective study of NMO patients (N=1349, of whom 134 had highly active NMO with ≥2 relapses in 12 months) that evaluated healthcare use within 12 months of a patient’s first NMO encounter (index date) in a US administrative claims database. Respective numbers in the non-NMO control group (N=670) were 9.70% (of patients with ER visits), 0.49 (mean number of ER visits), 4.0% (of patients with inpatient admission), and 4.49 (average number of days/admission).4
BLINDNESS
RATES OF VISUAL DISABILITY IS ELEVATED
At 5 years after onset, almost half (41%) of seropositive patients were expected to be legally blind in at least 1 eye and 9% to be legally blind in both eyes.2*
*Based on Kaplan-Meier analyses from a retrospective study of 140 aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G positive (AQP4-IgG+) NMOSD patients identified from Mayo Clinic records from 2005 to 2011.2
PARALYSIS
PAIN AND PARALYSIS CAN IMPACT MOBILITY
Patients report pain, mobility problems, sensory disability, and motor disability.2,3 76% of patients reported pain and discomfort.3*
At 5 years after disease onset2†
Approximately 1 out of 5 (22%) patients with AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD would require a walker (EDSS 6).
Approximately 1 out of 11 (9%) patients with AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD would require a wheelchair (EDSS 8).
*Based on a study of NMOSD patients (N=21, with an average disease duration of 8.2 years).3
†Based on Kaplan-Meier analyses from a retrospective study of 140 AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD patients identified from Mayo Clinic records from 2005 to 2011.2
PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT
FEAR OF FUTURE ATTACK CAN TAKE AN EMOTIONAL TOLL
Patients report a significant psychological impact.3,5
*Based on a study of NMOSD patients (N=21, with an average disease duration of 8.2 years).3
71% of patients reported having anxiety and/or depression (EQ-5D).3*
References: 1. Jarius S, Ruprecht K, Wildemann B, et al. Contrasting disease patterns in seropositive and seronegative neuromyelitis optica: a multicentre study of 175 patients. J Neuroinflammation. 2012;9:14. 2. Jiao Y, Fryer JP, Lennon VA, et al. Updated estimate of AQP4-IgG serostatus and disability outcome in neuromyelitis optica. Neurology. 2013;81(14):1197-1204. 3. Mealy MA, Boscoe A, Caro J, Levy M. Assessment of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder using EQ-5D. Int J MS Care. 2018. 4. Ajmera MR, Boscoe A, Mauskopf J, Candrilli SD, Levy M. Evaluation of comorbidities and health care resource use among patients with highly active neuromyelitis optica. J Neurol Sci. 2018;384:96-103. 5. Mutch K, Methley A, Moore P, Jacob A. Life on hold: the experience of living with neuromyelitis optica. Disabil Rehabil. 2014;36(13):1100-1107.
