Correlation between Aquaporin-4 Antibody and Optic Neuropathy in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder / 中国医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To determine the correlation between aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) and optic neuropathy in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).Methods The clinical and biochemical data of 53 patients with NMOSD diagnosis based on AQP4-Ab level in Changhai Hospital between January 2010 and October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.According to optic neuropathy occurrence,the NMOSD patients were divided into optic neuropathy and non-optic neuropathy groups.Clinical and biochemical characteristics were compared between the two groups.According to the serum AQP4-Ab levels,the NMOSD patients were divided into AQP4-Ab seropositive and seronegative groups.The incidence of optic neuropathy was compared between the two groups.The correlation between optic neuropathy and AQP4-Ab levels was analyzed.Results Between the optic neuropathy and non-optic neuropathy groups,no significant differences in sex,age at onset,disease course,serum alanine aminotransferase levels,protein levels in cerebral spinal fluid,IgG index,and oligoclonal band were observed (P ＞ 0.05).However,statistically significant differences were found in frequency,superficial sensory impairment,serum creatinine level,and serum AQP4-Ab level (P ＜ 0.05).Between the AQP4-Ab sempositive and semnegative groups,a statistically significant difference in the incidence of optic neuropathy was observed (F =4.93,P ＜ 0.05).The incidence of optic neuropathy positively correlated with AQP4-Ab levels (r =0.297,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion NMOSD patients with AQP4-Ab seropositivity could be prone to optic neuropathy,and the correlation may be beneficial to early diagnosis,therapy,and monitoring of NMOSD.