Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in patients with connective tissue disease and myelitis

Comparative analysis of clinical and imaging data of first-attack neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with and without connective tissue disease

Background

The coexistence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and connective tissue disease (CTD) is well recognized. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the characteristics of first attack NMOSD with and without CTD.

Methods

A total of 113 Patients with NMOSD were included and were divided into two groups based on the presence of co-occurring CTD. Their demographic, clinical, laboratory, and image characteristics were obtained through inpatient medical records and follow-ups. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to analyze the effect of CTD in NMOSD patients at the time of first recurrence. The risk factors that could predict complications of NMOSD with CTD was analyzed by binary logistic regression. The ability of homocysteine (Hcy) to predict the coexistence of NMOSD and CTD was analyzed and evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

The demographic data, clinical features, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and MRI findings, except relapse events (including relapse rate, number of recurrences, and time of first recurrence), were similar between the two groups. The serum lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and albumin levels were lower (P < 0.05), while serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate and Hcy levels were higher in patients with NMOSD with CTD than in those without CTD (P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the time of first recurrence in NMOSD patients complicated with CTD was earlier than that of without CTD (log rank test P = 0.035). Logistic regression revealed that serum Hcy levels (OR 1.296, 95% CI, 1.050–1.601, P = 0.016) were independently associated with the occurrence of NMOSD with CTD. The receiver operating characteristic curve area was 0.738 (95% CI, 0.616–0.859; P < 0.001) for Hcy levels. Considering the Hcy concentration of 14.07 μmol/L as the cutoff value, the sensitivity and specificity of predicting the coexistence of first-attack NMOSD and CTD were 56 and 89.8%, respectively.

Conclusions

When the first-attack NMOSD patients are complicated with CTD, they have a higher recurrence rate, more recurrences, earlier first recurrence, higher serum Hcy levels, and enhanced systemic inflammatory reactions. Furthermore, Hcy levels may help to screen for CTD in patients with first-attack NMOSD.

The First Case Report of Preschool-Onset SS/SLE Coexisting With NMOSD of Chinese Origin

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease (CTD), the main features of which are multiple serum autoantibodies and extensive involvement of multiple systems. The onset age of patients varies from childhood to middle age, with nearly 1/5 in childhood. Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is also an autoimmune disease characterized by high-degree lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, usually occurring in middle-aged and older women, and rarely in childhood. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) mainly involving the optic nerve and spinal cord. The coexistence of NMOSD and SLE and/or SS is well recognized by both neurologists and rheumatologists, but cases in children have been rarely reported. In this paper, we reported a case of a girl with onset at age 5 clinically featured by recurrent parotid gland enlargement, pancytopenia, hypocomplementemia, multiple positive serum antibodies, and cirrhosis. She was initially diagnosed with SS/SLE overlap syndrome at age 5. Four years later, the patient suffered a sudden vision loss and was examined to have positive AQP4 antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and long segmental spinal swelling, in line with the diagnostic criteria for NMOSD. Up to now, the current patient is of the youngest onset age to develop SS/SLE coexisting with NMOSD, also with cirrhosis. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the possibility of CTDs coexisting with NMOSD in children, especially in those with positive anti-multiple autoantibodies, and to decrease the rate of missed diagnosis.

Transverse Myelitis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Clinical Features and Prognostic Factors in a Large Cohort of Latin American Patients

BACKGROUND

Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is an infrequent but severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of study was to describe clinical features and prognostic factors of patients with SLE-related ATM.

METHODS

In this medical records review study, data were collected from 60 patients from 16 centers seen between 1996 and 2017 who met diagnostic criteria for SLE and myelitis as defined by the American College of Rheumatology/Systemic International Collaborating Clinics and the Working Group of the Transverse Myelitis Consortium, respectively. Objective neurological impairment was measured with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) and European Database for Multiple Sclerosis Grade Scale (EGS).

RESULTS

Among patients included, 95% (n = 57) were female, and the average age was 31.6 ± 9.6 years. Myelitis developed after diagnosis of SLE in 60% (n = 36). Symmetrical paraparesis with hypoesthesia, flaccidity, sphincter dysfunction, AIS = A/B, and EGS ≥ 8 was the most common presentation. Intravenous methylprednisolone was used in 95% (n = 57), and 78.3% (n = 47) received intravenous cyclophosphamide. Sensory/motor recovery at 6 months was observed in 75% (42 of 56), but only in 16.1% (9 of 56) was complete. Hypoglycorrhachia and EGS ≥ 7 in the nadir were associated with an unfavorable neurological outcome at 6 months (p < 0.05). A relapse rate during follow-up was observed in 30.4% (17 of 56). Hypoglycorrhachia and hypocomplementemia seem to be protective factors for relapse. Intravenous cyclophosphamide was associated with time delay to relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic lupus erythematosus-related ATM may occur at any time of SLE course, leading to significant disability despite treatment. Relapses are infrequent and intravenous cyclophosphamide seems to delay it. Hypoglycorrhachia, hypocomplementemia, and EGS at nadir are the most important prognostic factors.

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) and Connective Tissue Disease (CTD): an Update for the Rheumatologist

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the pathophysiology, presentation, and treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and its association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjogren's syndrome (SS).

RECENT FINDINGS

NMOSD is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system that primarily targets astrocytes. Although the prevalence is unknown, the coexistence of NMOSD and SLE/SS is well-recognized. Patients with both NMOSD and SLE or SS require may require unique approaches to diagnosis and management. Coexistence of NMOSD and SLE/SS is important for the rheumatologist and neurologist to be able to recognize. For the rheumatologist, NMOSD and its neurologic symptoms represent a distinct disease process from neurologic complications of the patient's underlying connective tissue disease, and it requires distinct acute and chronic management. For the neurologist, the coexistence of SLE and SS can help to establish a diagnosis of NMOSD, or in some situations, the development of neurologic symptoms secondary to NMOSD can lead to the diagnosis of connective tissue disease.

Spectrum of Myelitis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Experience from a Single Tertiary Care Centre over 25 Years

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory myelitis rarely occurs in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

Medical records from a tertiary care centre in India (1989-2018) were reviewed to identify patients with myelitis in SLE and their clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared with two matching comparators drawn from adjacent hospital registration numbers in the SLE database.

RESULTS

Ten patients had myelitis from a cohort of 1768 patients with SLE. Myelitis was the first manifestation of lupus in 7 (70%). Cervicothoracic cord was most frequent site of involvement. ANA was negative at onset in 2 cases. One of 4 was positive for Anti-Aquaporin 4 antibody. Four had relapsing disease (16 events) with a median time to relapse of 0.65 years (0.3- 7 years). All cases received steroid sparing agents over the follow-up duration (78.5 patient years). Lupus nephritis (20% vs. 75%, p=0.004) and haematologic manifestations (0 vs. 25%, p=0.02) were less common. Higher frequency of anti-Ro antibodies was noted in the group with myelitis (p=0.05).

CONCLUSION

Myelitis can be a presenting feature of SLE with lupus nephritis and hematologic involvement being rare. Relapses are common that mandate long-term immunosuppression.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum standstill in rheumatic systemic autoimmune diseases

Background

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are considered as an autoantibody-mediated disorder that targets aquaporin-4 (AQP4); other autoantibodies could be detected in such spectrum of diseases, including anti-nuclear antibody and antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens. Systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren’s syndrome (SS), and other autoimmune diseases can overlap with NMOSD. We aimed in this review to address the current evidence describing the relation of NMOSD to systemic autoimmunity diseases, its controversy of being co-association or the same etiology, and its practical implications.

Main body

The current review was done using a search for related articles or case reports on PubMed until 2019. The keywords included neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in combination with autoimmune disease nomenclature. We described the literature background of this controversy, to summarize the evidence of NMOSD relationship to systemic autoimmune diseases.

Conclusion

NMOSD associated with systemic autoimmune diseases is more common in SLE and Sjogren’s syndrome rather than other autoimmune diseases, frequently affects females more than males; AQP4 antibodies should be tested for all NMOSD like manifestations associated with an autoimmune disorder; however, the clinical diagnosis of NMOSD regardless of the cord lesion length and the presence of positive AQP4 antibody can occur in systemic autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases associated with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: A literature review

INTRODUCTION

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which predominantly involves optic nerves and spinal cord. Since the introduction of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) as a separate entity, there have been many reports on its association with other disorders including systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Here, we reviewed other immune-mediated diseases associated with NMOSD and tried to categorize them.

METHODS

The present review was conducted using the PUBMED database based on papers from 1976 (i.e., since the first NMO comorbidity with SLE was reported) to 2017. We included all articles published in English. The keywords utilized included Neuromyelitis optica, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders, Devic's disease, in combination with comorbidity or comorbidities.

RESULTS

Diseases with immune-based pathogenesis are the most frequently reported co-morbidities associated with NMOSD, most of which are antibody-mediated diseases. According to literature, Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are the most frequently reported diseases associated with NMOSD among systemic autoimmune diseases. Further, myasthenia gravis in neurological and autoimmune thyroid diseases in non-neurological organ-specific autoimmune diseases are the most reported comorbidities associated with NMOSD in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

NMOSD may be associated with a variety of different types of autoimmune diseases. Therefore, systemic or laboratory signs which are not typical for NMOSD should be properly investigated to exclude other associated comorbidities. These comorbidities may affect the treatment strategy and may improve the patients' care and management.

Refractory neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in systemic lupus erythematosus successfully treated with rituximab

We present a case of a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who had refractory episodes of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and was successfully treated with rituximab. She was positive for anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody and had typical cranial and longitudinally extended spinal lesions but no optic nerve involvement. There is no established treatment for NMOSD/SLE overlap cases. Our experience suggests that rituximab may be effective for patients with combined SLE and anti-AQP4 antibody-positive NMOSD.

Aquaporin 4 Antibody in the Korean Patient with New-Onset Optic Neuritis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prevalence of aquaporin 4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) in new-onset optic neuritis patients and investigate the characteristics of seropositive patients.

METHODS

Thirty-six women and six men with new-onset isolated optic neuritis were included in this study between January 2013 and December 2014. AQP4-Ab was detected and all blood samples were obtained prior to treatment and within one week from attack. The patients were sub-grouped into either a seropositive group or a seronegative group according to AQP4-Ab. Differences in age, gender, initial visual acuity, and final visual acuity between groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

Six (14.3%) of these patients (five women and one man) exhibited AQP4-Ab. There was no significant difference in mean age between study groups (positive group: 38.7 ± 11.5 years, negative group: 42.3 ± 14.7 years, P=0.548). Bilateral simultaneous involvement was more common in seropositive patients than in seronegative patients (occurred in two out of six seropositive patients and in one out of 36 seronegative patients, P = 0.007). With regards to poor visual outcome (worse than 1.0 LogMAR), seropositive patients exhibited more severe visual loss than seronegative patients. None of the seropositive patients exhibited myelitis symptoms during the follow-up period (mean follow-up period: 8-32 months).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of AQP4 antibody was often detected in new-onset optic neuritis patients. In patients with bilateral involvement or poor initial visual acuity, the AQP4 antibody test should be considered.

Probable systemic lupus erythematosus with cell-bound complement activation products (CB-CAPS)

Complement activation is a key feature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Detection of cell-bound complement activation products (CB-CAPS) occurs more frequently than serum hypocomplementemia in definite lupus. We describe a patient with normocomplementemic probable SLE who did not fulfill ACR classification criteria for lupus, but the diagnosis was supported by the presence of CB-CAPS.

Sjögren syndrome and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder co-exist in a common autoimmune milieu

The relationship between Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is not completely understood. We report two patients with both conditions and review 47 other previously reported cases meeting currently accepted diagnostic criteria, from 17 articles extracted from PubMed. Out of 44 patients whose gender was informed, 42 were females. Mean age at onset of neurological manifestation was 36.2 years (10-74). Serum anti-AQP4-IgG was positive in 32 patients, borderline in 1, and negative in 4. Our Case 1 was seronegative for AQP4-IgG and had no non-organ-specific autoantibodies other than anti-SSB antibodies. Our Case 2 had serum anti-AQP4, anti-SSA/SSB, anti-thyreoglobulin and anti-acethylcholine-receptor antibodies, as well as clinical hypothyreoidism, but no evidence of myasthenia gravis. Our Cases and others, as previously reported in literature, with similar heterogeneous autoimmune response to aquaporin-4, suggest that SS and NMO co-exist in a common autoimmune milieu which is not dependent on aquaporin-4 autoimmunity.

A Rare Case of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder in Patient with Sjogren's Syndrome

We report a 48-year-old female with the history of Sjogren's syndrome who presented with 3-week history of tingling, numbness, and shooting back, waist, and bilateral leg pain and numbness in the pelvic region with urinary and bowel incontinence. Physical examination was remarkable for reduced motor power in both lower extremities with spasticity. Sensory deficit was noted at the T6 level. Laboratory investigation revealed elevated ESR and CRP and positive serum antiaquaporin-4 IgG. Thoracic and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal patchy areas, leptomeningeal enhancement through the thoracic cord extending from T3 through T6 levels, without evidence of cord compression. Impression of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder was made and patient was treated with methylprednisolone intravenously followed by tapering oral prednisone. Neurological symptoms gradually improved with resolution of bowel and urinary incontinence. In a patient with Sjogren's syndrome who presents with neurological complaints, the possibility of neuromyelitis optica or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder should be considered. Awareness of the possibility of CNS disease is important due to the serious nature of CNS complications, some of which are treatable with immunosuppressants. Our patient with Sjogren's syndrome who presented with myelopathy benefited from early recognition and institution of appropriate therapy.

Neurologic Complications Associated with Sjögren's Disease: Case Reports and Modern Pathogenic Dilemma

Objectives. Sjögren's syndrome (SS) may be complicated by some neurological manifestations, generally sensory polyneuropathy. Furthermore, involvement of cranial nerves was described as rare complications of SS. Methods. We reported 2 cases: the first one was a 40-year-old woman who developed neuritis of the left optic nerve as presenting symptom few years before the diagnosis of SS; the second was a 54-year-old woman who presented a paralysis of the right phrenic nerve 7 years after the SS onset. An exhaustive review of the literature on patients with cranial or phrenic nerve involvements was also carried out. Results. To the best of our knowledge, our second case represents the first observation of SS-associated phrenic nerve mononeuritis, while optic neuritis represents the most frequent cranial nerve involvement detectable in this connective tissue disease. Trigeminal neuropathy is also frequently reported, whereas neuritis involving the other cranial nerves is quite rare. Conclusions. Cranial nerve injury is a harmful complication of SS, even if less commonly recorded compared to peripheral neuropathy. Neurological manifestations may precede the clinical onset of SS; therefore, in patients with apparently isolated cranial nerve involvement, a correct diagnosis of the underlying SS is often delayed or overlooked entirely; in these instances, standard clinicoserological assessment is recommendable.

Patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder combined with Sjögren's syndrome relapse free following tacrolimus treatment

Tacrolimus, a novel immunosuppressant agent, has been widely used in organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases. We herein present a case of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) combined with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) successfully treated with tacrolimus. This patient repeatedly presented with recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Her NMO-IgG and anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies were seropositive. Considering the frequency of relapses and severe disability, tacrolimus was initiated after failure of intravenous cyclophosphamide. Her status was steady for over 36 months after tacrolimus treatment. This report indicates that tacrolimus may be a potentially effective immunosuppressant for NMOSD with systemic autoimmune diseases.

Severe optic neuritis in a patient with combined neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease and primary Sjögren's syndrome: a case report

Introduction

Optic neuritis, although uncommon, can be the initial presentation of Sjögren’s syndrome. Coexisting Sjögren’s syndrome has also been reported with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. This case report highlights the association between the two diseases and the importance of rheumatological and neurological evaluations in patients with such diagnoses. Distinction of neuromyelitis optica with coexisting connective tissue disease has both prognostic and therapeutic significance for the patient.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 56-year-old Chinese woman who presented with bilateral asymmetric visual loss secondary to optic neuritis. She was subsequently found to be seropositive for neuromyelitis optica immunoglobulin G (NMO-IgG) (anti-aquaporin-4 antibody) and was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. She also fulfilled the international criteria for Sjögren’s syndrome. Despite initial high dose immunosuppressive therapy, she failed to regain vision in one eye.

Conclusion

Patients presenting with optic neuritis and severe visual loss should be screened for neuromyelitis optica and treated appropriately. Neuromyelitis optica has been associated with systemic autoimmune diseases, in particular Sjögren’s syndrome, and current evidence indicates that they are two distinct entities. We recommend that both diagnoses be considered in cases of optic neuritis with severe visual loss.