
Contributions
Abstract: P683
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Objectives: Population-based epidemiological studies on neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are limited. The incidence and prevalence of NMOSD in Serbia has not been previously established. The aim of our study was to estimate the pattern of prevalence of NMOSD diagnosed according to the 2015 criteria, in Central Serbia.
Methods: In this population-based retrospective study, we included all patients from Central Serbia diagnosed with NMOSD according to the 2015 criteria. All those patients are included in the National NMOSD Registry of Central Serbia, established at the Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Center of Serbia in 2014. All tests for antibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) were performed in a single reference laboratory at the above-mentioned Clinic. Prevalence was calculated after re-evaluation of each patient according to the 2015 criteria on the day December 31, 2017. The projective number of inhabitants in Central Serbia (June 30, 2016 projections) was 7,058,322 people, 3,437,630 males and 3,620,692 females.
Results: We identified 73 patients. All patients were Caucasian. There were 79.5% female subjects; median age at disease onset was 36.5 years (range, 7.1-68.3 years). In total, 60 (83.3%) patients were positive for AQP-4 antibodies. Median Expanded Disability Status Scale score at the last visit was 2.5 (range 0.0-8.5). The prevalence of NMOSD was 1.03/100,000, for males 0.44/100,000, and for females 1.61/100,000. Lowest values were seen in children and elder people and highest in the middle-aged people (40-59 years).
Conclusion: Based on the prevalence data, NMOSD remains to be in the group of rare disorders. The differences in age- and gender-specific prevalence highlight the necessity of further investigation of the impact of these variables on the disease susceptibility. Higher awareness and better recognition of NMOSD might increase the frequency and distribution of this disease in the future.
Disclosure: Jelena Drulovic serves on scientific advisory boards for Bayer Schering Pharma, Merck Serono, Teva, Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, Roche, and received honoraria for speaking from Merck Serono, Teva, Bayer Schering, Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, Medis, Roche; and has also received research grant support from the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Serbia (project no. 175031).
Tatjana Pekmezovic serves on scientific advisory board for Teva, and received compensation for consulting services, travel expenses for scientific meetings, and speaking honoraria from Bayer Schering Pharma, Merck Serono, Actavis/Teva, Roche, Gedeon Richter, Novartis; supported by a grant of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia (No. 175087 and 175090).
Sarlota Mesaros serves on scientific advisory board for Merck Serono, and has received research grant support from the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Serbia (project no. 175031).
Irena Dujmovic serves on scientific advisory board for Bayer Schering Pharma, and received honoraria for speaking from Merck Serono, Roche and Medis; and has also received research grant support from the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Serbia (project no. 175031).
Vanja Martinovic has received research grant support from the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Serbia (project no. 175087).
Jovana Ivanovic: nothing to disclose.
Marko Andabaka: nothing to disclose.
Abstract: P683
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Objectives: Population-based epidemiological studies on neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are limited. The incidence and prevalence of NMOSD in Serbia has not been previously established. The aim of our study was to estimate the pattern of prevalence of NMOSD diagnosed according to the 2015 criteria, in Central Serbia.
Methods: In this population-based retrospective study, we included all patients from Central Serbia diagnosed with NMOSD according to the 2015 criteria. All those patients are included in the National NMOSD Registry of Central Serbia, established at the Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Center of Serbia in 2014. All tests for antibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) were performed in a single reference laboratory at the above-mentioned Clinic. Prevalence was calculated after re-evaluation of each patient according to the 2015 criteria on the day December 31, 2017. The projective number of inhabitants in Central Serbia (June 30, 2016 projections) was 7,058,322 people, 3,437,630 males and 3,620,692 females.
Results: We identified 73 patients. All patients were Caucasian. There were 79.5% female subjects; median age at disease onset was 36.5 years (range, 7.1-68.3 years). In total, 60 (83.3%) patients were positive for AQP-4 antibodies. Median Expanded Disability Status Scale score at the last visit was 2.5 (range 0.0-8.5). The prevalence of NMOSD was 1.03/100,000, for males 0.44/100,000, and for females 1.61/100,000. Lowest values were seen in children and elder people and highest in the middle-aged people (40-59 years).
Conclusion: Based on the prevalence data, NMOSD remains to be in the group of rare disorders. The differences in age- and gender-specific prevalence highlight the necessity of further investigation of the impact of these variables on the disease susceptibility. Higher awareness and better recognition of NMOSD might increase the frequency and distribution of this disease in the future.
Disclosure: Jelena Drulovic serves on scientific advisory boards for Bayer Schering Pharma, Merck Serono, Teva, Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, Roche, and received honoraria for speaking from Merck Serono, Teva, Bayer Schering, Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, Medis, Roche; and has also received research grant support from the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Serbia (project no. 175031).
Tatjana Pekmezovic serves on scientific advisory board for Teva, and received compensation for consulting services, travel expenses for scientific meetings, and speaking honoraria from Bayer Schering Pharma, Merck Serono, Actavis/Teva, Roche, Gedeon Richter, Novartis; supported by a grant of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia (No. 175087 and 175090).
Sarlota Mesaros serves on scientific advisory board for Merck Serono, and has received research grant support from the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Serbia (project no. 175031).
Irena Dujmovic serves on scientific advisory board for Bayer Schering Pharma, and received honoraria for speaking from Merck Serono, Roche and Medis; and has also received research grant support from the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Serbia (project no. 175031).
Vanja Martinovic has received research grant support from the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Serbia (project no. 175087).
Jovana Ivanovic: nothing to disclose.
Marko Andabaka: nothing to disclose.