Asian and African/Caribbean AQP4-NMOSD patient outcomes according to self-identified race and place of residence

Exploring steroid tapering in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder treated with satralizumab in SAkuraSky: A case series

“…Prior to the approval of the first biologic therapies for AQP4-IgGseropositive NMOSD in 2019 and 2020, maintenance treatment centered around the off-label use of nonspecific immunosuppressive therapies (ISTs) such as oral corticosteroids, azathioprine (AZA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and rituximab (Brod, 2020;Held et al, 2021;Jarius et al, 2020). Oral corticosteroids continue to be the mainstay of NMOSD maintenance treatment in some countries, as they are inexpensive, accessible, and have been shown to effectively suppress relapses in some patients (Akaishi et al, 2021;Kessler et al, 2016;Soares-Dos-Reis et al, 2021;Takai et al, 2021;Watanabe et al, 2007). However, chronic steroid use is associated with a number of serious complications, including facial swelling (often referred to as 'moon face'), weight gain, hypertension, hyperglycemia, glaucoma, and osteoporosis (Kessler et al, 2016;Kimbrough et al, 2012;Takai et al, 2021).…”

Pregnancy Management in Multiple Sclerosis and Other Demyelinating Diseases

“…NMOSD is relatively rare and less well known to many nonneurologists/ophthalmologists. Further, NMOSD overall affects a greater proportion of people of color, 36 who experience differential neurologic outcomes, [37][38][39] possibly resulting from broader structural inequities and other forms of racism in health care. Therefore, it is important to ensure careful interprofessional (neurologic, obstetric, neonatal) communication for women with NMOSD planning pregnancy in order to optimize management.…”