Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in the Arabian Gulf: challenges and growing experience. |
| Authors: |
Alroughani, Raed, Qadi, Najeeb, Inshasi, Jihad, Shosha, Eslam |
| Source: |
Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental, Translational & Clinical; Jan-Mar2020, Vol. 6 Issue 1, pN.PAG-N.PAG, 1p |
| Subject Terms: |
NEUROMYELITIS optica, SYMPTOMS, BAYS, DISEASES, ETHNIC groups |
| Geographic Terms: |
PERSIAN Gulf |
| Abstract: |
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) have been studied in different ethnic groups, including Asians, African-Americans, and Caucasians. Demonstrating the clinical features among diverse communities is important to understand the variable disease phenotypes, which will lead to further classification and better clinical management. Testing for antibody against aquaporin-4 (AQP4), the most common target antigen in NMOSD, is not available in many countries and tests use different methods, with variable sensitivity. With negative antibody results, the diagnosis of NMOSD becomes challenging and may affect the outcomes of patients with NMOSD. There are no adequate studies that assess NMOSD cohorts in the Arabian Gulf region, despite the increasing number of diagnosed cases. It is worth assessing NMOSD cohorts in the Arabian Gulf population to study the natural history of disease and to establish an epidemiological background for future perspectives. Various challenges to implement such a mission are outlined, including disease rarity, overlapping presenting symptoms and signs, which posed the issue of mimickers in the differential diagnosis, lack of specialized clinics, absence of highly sensitive testing methods for diagnosis, and the indefinite agreement on the negative AQP4 NMOSD criteria. Collaborative efforts started to take a place among many experts in the region to establish a registry of NMOSD patients for better perception of the disease pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|
Copyright of Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental, Translational & Clinical is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Complementary Index |
