TY - JOUR T1 - Prevalence and incidence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD and MOG antibody-positive disease in Oxfordshire, UK JF - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry JO - J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry SP - 1126 LP - 1128 DO - 10.1136/jnnp-2020-323158 VL - 91 IS - 10 AU - Karen O'Connell AU - Antonia Hamilton-Shield AU - Mark Woodhall AU - Silvia Messina AU - Romina Mariano AU - Patrick Waters AU - Sithara Ramdas AU - Maria Isabel Leite AU - Jacqueline Palace Y1 - 2020/10/01 UR - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/91/10/1126.abstract N2 - Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) are a group of rare, inflammatory, demyelinating diseases that affect the central nervous system. Aquaporin-4-IgG (AQP-4-IgG) is detectable in over 70% of patients and plays a critical role in diagnosis.1 According to 2015 International Panel for NMO Diagnosis (IPND) criteria, patients seronegative for AQP-4-IgG can still be diagnosed with NMOSD but must meet more stringent clinical and radiological criteria.1 A subset of this group may be positive for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG-Abs).2 MOG-Ab disease encompasses a broader clinical spectrum, including isolated optic neuritis (ON, often bilateral and recurrent), isolated transverse myelitis (TM) and acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM) (online supplementary figure 1). This, coupled with a monophasic course in half and high recovery rates without residual disability, has led many to argue MOG-Ab disease should be considered a separate entity from AQP-4-IgG NMOSD.Supplementary data [jnnp-2020-323158supp001.pdf] Previous epidemiology studies have varied in relation to case ascertainment, diagnostic criteria used, age restrictions among study populations, and reporting and testing of antibodies, making cross-comparisons difficult. Limiting studies to those using the updated 2015 IPND criteria,1 prevalence and incidence rates of NMOSD, among predominantly Caucasian populations, range from 0.7 to 1.87/100 000 and 0.3–1.2/million person-years.3–6 The epidemiology of MOG-Ab disease is largely unknown.Given the rarity of these conditions, evolving diagnostic criteria and recent availability of accurate antibody testing, these rates likely underestimate the true prevalence and incidence. Thus, in the current study, we sought to calculate the respective prevalence and incidence of NMOSD, AQP-4-IgG-positive NMOSD and MOG-Ab disease in Oxfordshire.This cohort study was conducted using a prospectively collected dataset of patients (adult and paediatric) attending the NHS National Specialised Services for Neuromyelitis Optica, in Oxford. All neurologists practising at our … ER -