The prevalence of neuromyelitis optica in South East Wales.
Cossburn M, Tackley G, Baker K, Ingram G, Burtonwood M, Malik G, Pickersgill T, Te Water Naudé J, Robertson N.
SourceThe Department of Psychological Medicine and Neurology, Cardiff University, Cardiff The Clinical Neurosciences Directorate, Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
Abstract
Background and purpose:? Neuromyeltis optica (NMO) is a neuroinflammatory disorder considered rare in Caucasian populations. However, accurate population-based epidemiological data for NMO and NMO spectrum disorder (NMO-SD) from Western populations employing validated diagnostic criteria remain limited. We sought therefore to estimate the prevalence and clinical features of NMO in a north European Caucasian population in South East Wales. Methods:? Patients were identified by a comprehensive, multistage ascertainment strategy employing a regional neuroinflammatory disease register, hospital diagnostic databases personal physician referrals and regional requests for anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies (anti-AQP4). Results:? Fourteen Caucasian patients (11 patients with NMO and three with NMO-SD) were identified in a population of 712?572 (19.6/million; 95% CIs: 12.2-29.7). There was an excess of females (female:male 12:2), 11/14 were anti-AQP4 positive and 5/14 had disease onset under the age of 20?years. Conclusion:? This study suggests that NMO and related spectrum disorders are at least as frequent in Northern European populations as in non-Caucasian populations and that the demographic profile of prevalent patients differs from clinic-based cohorts.
© 2011 The Author(s). European Journal of Neurology © 2011 EFNS.
PMID:21967235[PubMed – as supplied by publisher]
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