TY - JOUR T1 - Early predictors of disability of paediatric-onset AQP4-IgG-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders JF - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry JO - J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry SP - 101 LP - 111 DO - 10.1136/jnnp-2021-327206 VL - 93 IS - 1 AU - Valentina Camera AU - Silvia Messina AU - Kariem Tarek Elhadd AU - Julia Sanpera-Iglesias AU - Romina Mariano AU - Yael Hacohen AU - Ruth Dobson AU - Stefano Meletti AU - Evangeline Wassmer AU - Ming J Lim AU - Saif Huda AU - Cheryl Hemingway AU - Maria Isabel Leite AU - Sithara Ramdas AU - Jacqueline Palace Y1 - 2022/01/01 UR - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/93/1/101.abstract N2 - Objective To describe onset clinical features predicting time to first relapse and time to long-term visual, motor and cognitive disabilities in paediatric-onset aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs).Methods In this retrospective UK multicentre cohort study, we recorded clinical data of paediatric-onset AQP4-IgG NMOSD. Univariate and exploratory multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify long-term predictors of permanent visual disability, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 4 and cognitive impairment.Results We included 49 paediatric-onset AQP4-IgG patients (38.8% white, 34.7% black, 20.4% Asians and 6.1% mixed), mean onset age of 12±4.1 years, and 87.7% were female. Multifocal onset presentation occurred in 26.5% of patients, and optic nerve (47%), area postrema/brainstem (48.9%) and encephalon (28.6%) were the most involved areas. Overall, 52.3% of children had their first relapse within 1 year from disease onset. Children with onset age <12 years were more likely to have an earlier first relapse (p=0.030), despite showing no difference in time to immunosuppression compared with those aged 12–18 years at onset. At the cohort median disease duration of 79 months, 34.3% had developed permanent visual disability, 20.7% EDSS score 4 and 25.8% cognitive impairment. Visual disability was associated with white race (p=0.032) and optic neuritis presentations (p=0.002). Cognitive impairment was predicted by cerebral syndrome presentations (p=0.048), particularly if resistant to steroids (p=0.034).Conclusions Age at onset, race, onset symptoms and resistance to acute therapy at onset attack predict first relapse and long-term disabilities. The recognition of these predictors may help to power future paediatric clinical trials and to direct early therapeutic decisions in AQP4-IgG NMOSD.Data are available upon reasonable request. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. The data collected for the present study will be available from the corresponding author upon request to qualified researchers (i.e. affialiated with universities or research institutions/Hospital trusts). Dr. Valentina Camera and Prof. Jacqueline Palace had full access to all the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. ER -