This Cuban multiethnic population had a prevalence of NMO of 0.52 per 100,000 and an estimated average annual incidence rate of 0.053 per 100,000 with no differences by ethnicity. Black patients were older, with more relapses and motor impairment.

No abstract

RNMO is a very rapidly disabling disease affecting primarily young women. This study has identified clinical features that predict a poor outcome. These findings suggest that early and aggressive immunotherapy might be warranted in RNMO.

This study, based on a Cuban patient population, with long duration of disease, good sample size and detailed characterization by MRI, demonstrated the brain MRI pattern of R-NMO patients, which is different from MS.

NMO IgG positive antibodies in NMO patients had a lower rate in the Caribbean area - where the population has a predominant African ancestry - than in Caucasian Europeans, suggesting the influence of a possible ethnic factor in the pathogenesis of the disease, but they confer a worse course with more attacks, more disability and MRI lesions.