Neuromyelitis optica and Mortality

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rapidly disabling disease. Epidemiologic studies have suggested varying NMOSD mortality across ethnic groups. Objectives: to explore mortality and causes of death among NMOSD patients in a reference center and to identify risk factors of death. Methods: We performed a retrospective study with a 10-year follow-up, from december of 2012 to december of 2022 and was included all patients registered in the reference center of demyelinating diseases from Paraiba state. Results: 39 patients were included, they had receveid confirmed NMOSD diagnostic; 05 (12,8%) patients died during follow-up of these 10 years. Two patients died with sepses, especially respiratory infection, one with complications from COVID-19, 01 with thromboembolism and one patient with unknown causes (sudden death). Two of these patients died at home. Every increasing decade of onset age increased the risk of death 2.59 times. Conclusion: Every increasing decade of onset age increased the risk of death 2.59 times. Infections were very common in patients and the delayed treatment was associated with infections and complications from NMOSD.