Preliminary Observation Of Efficacy And Safety Of 15 Patients With Neuromyelitis Optic Spectrum Disorder Treated With Rituximab

Objective: This article is aimed to observe the efficacy,safety of rituximab in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder(NMOSD).Methods: In this study,retrospective analysis of 15 patients with anti-aquaporin-4antibody(AQP4-Ig-G)positive for rituximab and poor of treated with glucocorticoid therapy.The patient's medication and clinical conditions were compared,and the differences in annual recurrence rate(ARR)and extended disability status scale(EDSS)before and after treatment were compared to evaluate the efficacy,safety of rituximab.Results: 15 NMOSD patients(2 males and 13 females)received RTX treatment,The age of onset was 16-55 years old,with an average of(31.8 ± 13.2)years,the course of disease was 1-144 months,and RTX treatment was 1-6 times.The annual recurrence rate(ARR)decreased from 1.83±2.30% before treatment to 0.07±0.26% after treatment(P<0.05).The Extended Disability Status Scale(EDSS)score decreased from 3.27 ± 1.97 to 2.37 ± 1.85(P >0.05).The difference in ARR between the patients before and after treatment was statistically significant.Only 3 patients developed mild adverse reactions during the treatment period,and no serious adverse reactions occurred.Common adverse reactions were: reversible liver enzyme elevation(changes in serum gamma glutamyltransferase)and infusion reactions.Conclusions: Rituximab can reduce clinical recurrence and MRI lesion activity in NMOSD patients and is safe.It may be an effective drug for the treatment of NMOSD.