What might the COVID-19 pandemic in regard to people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder teach us regarding the future?

Objective

The study aimed to examine the demographic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD, pwNMOSD) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

This was an observational study of pwNMOSD at a tertiary care clinic. Data on COVID-19 infection were collected between 11 March 2020 and 30 April 2022. Data on COVID-19 symptoms, severity and death rate were analyzed.

Results

We observed 16 confirmed COVID-19 cases and three suspected cases. Three (15.8%) patients had severe infections, whereas 16 (84.2%) had mild conditions. Only one person was admitted to the hospital due to pneumonia. COVID-19 re-infection was reported by three patients. No pwNMOSD died as a result of COVID-19 disease. Cough was the most frequently reported symptom. The incidence of COVID-19 infection in our cohort was 21.1%. Immunosuppressants were taken by 57.9% of pwNMOSD with COVID-19, and by 84.5% of pwNMOSD without COVID-19.

Conclusions

Due to the small sample size, there was no predominant difference in infection between infected and uninfected patients with or without immunosuppressant drugs. However, given that immunosuppressants are a risk for infection, patient decision-making in their selection is important.