ABSTRACT
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, which preferentially attacks the optic nerve and spinal cord. It is associated with antibodies against aquaporin 4. Morbidity and mortality are higher than in multiple sclerosis and its treatment focuses on immunosuppressive drugs. Immunomodulators are contraindicated. We report a previously healthy 35-year-old man, presenting with NMO concomitantly with systemic lupus erythematosus. His evolution was torpid with three outbreaks in the 10 months after the diagnosis, requiring a first-line therapy with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide and then a second-line therapy with rituximab.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Neuromyelitis Optica/complications , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications , Paresis/complications , Paresis/drug therapy , Spasm/complications , Spasm/drug therapy , Methylprednisolone/therapeutic use , Neuromyelitis Optica/drug therapy , Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use , Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use , Rituximab/therapeutic use , Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/drug therapyABSTRACT
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, which preferentially attacks the optic nerve and spinal cord. It is associated with antibodies against aquaporin 4. Morbidity and mortality are higher than in multiple sclerosis and its treatment focuses on immunosuppressive drugs. Immunomodulators are contraindicated. We report a previously healthy 35-year-old man, presenting with NMO concomitantly with systemic lupus erythematosus. His evolution was torpid with three outbreaks in the 10 months after the diagnosis, requiring a first-line therapy with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide and then a second-line therapy with rituximab.
