Immunosuppressive therapy is more effective than interferon in neuromyelitis optica.
To determine long-term treatment (LTT) of neuromyelitis optica (NMO), we retrospectively reviewed therapies of 26 patients with NMO followed in five French neurological departments. To assess LTT efficacy, the probability of relapse free after LTT was analysed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the first treatment receiving interferon beta (IFN Group, seven patients) or immunosuppressants (IS Group, 19 patients). The probability of relapse was significantly lower in the IS Group (P =0.0007). From our results, interferon beta is not recommended, and one of the best current therapeutic options for NMO appears to be immunosuppressants.
Papeix
C
C
Department of Neurology, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Paris, France. caroline.papeix@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
Vidal
J-S
JS
de Seze
J
J
Pierrot-Deseilligny
C
C
Tourbah
A
A
Stankoff
B
B
Lebrun
C
C
Moreau
T
T
Vermersch
P
P
Fontaine
B
B
Lyon-Caen
O
O
Gout
O
O
D000328:Adult; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016899:Interferon-beta