Patient Pathway to Diagnosis of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD): Findings from a Multinational Survey of 204 Patients

Bibliographic Details
Title: Patient Pathway to Diagnosis of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD): Findings from a Multinational Survey of 204 Patients
Authors: Jonathan D. Santoro, Jennifer Gould, Zoya Panahloo, Ella Thompson, Julia Lefelar, Jacqueline Palace
Source: Neurology and Therapy, Vol 12, Iss 4, Pp 1081-1101 (2023)
Publisher Information: Adis, Springer Healthcare, 2023.
Publication Year: 2023
Collection: LCC:Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
Subject Terms: Demyelination, Diagnosis, Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), Neurology, Patient perspective, Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system, RC346-429
More Details: Abstract Introduction Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a rare demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. Despite increased recognition of MOGAD as a distinct disease and the availability of sensitive methods of MOG antibody testing, diagnostic challenges remain. We conducted a survey to explore the patient experience from the start of symptoms to final MOGAD diagnosis. Methods A 23-question online survey (including multiple-choice and free-text responses) covering symptom history, healthcare interactions and impact of diagnosis was emailed to people living with MOGAD by The MOG Project patient advocacy group. People living with MOGAD could share the survey with their caregivers. Anonymised responses were analysed. Results In total, 204 people living with MOGAD or their caregivers from 21 countries completed the survey; most respondents were from North America. Age of symptom onset ranged from 1 to 66 (median 28) years. Symptoms that prompted patients to seek medical care included blurred vision/loss of vision (58.2%), eye pain (35.8%) and difficulty walking (25.4%). Patients most frequently presented to emergency care physicians (38.7%) and primary care doctors (26.0%), with the MOGAD diagnosis most often made by general neurologists (40.4%) or neuro-immunologists (30.0%). Patients saw a median of four doctors before diagnosis, with 26.5% of patients seeing at least six doctors. Although 60.6% of patients received a MOGAD diagnosis within 6 months of experiencing initial health problems, 17.7% experienced a ≥ 5-year delay. More than half of patients (55.4%) received an alternative primary diagnosis before final MOGAD diagnosis. Most respondents (60.6%) reported receiving insufficient information/resources at the time of MOGAD diagnosis. Diagnostic delay was associated with long-term negative consequences for physical health. Conclusion This survey provides unique insights from people living with MOGAD and their caregivers that could help address the challenges faced in the pathway to final MOGAD diagnosis.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2193-8253
2193-6536
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2193-8253; https://doaj.org/toc/2193-6536
DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00474-9
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/188df727b97447d49337ecec0c582124
Accession Number: edsdoj.188df727b97447d49337ecec0c582124
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:21938253
21936536
DOI:10.1007/s40120-023-00474-9
Published in:Neurology and Therapy
Language:English