Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder causes disability and vision loss! Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. This rare disease, which involves the optic nerve and spinal cord and is characterized by recurrent attacks, can cause blindness and paralysis and shorten the life span of patients. Dr. Banu Kılıç Taşköprü M.D., PhD, MBA, CPCC, Country Medical Director, at Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease shared important information about NMOSD disease.
Autoimmune diseases are known as diseases that occur as a result of the unwanted immune response developed by the body against its own tissues. In the formation of NMOSD, antibodies against a specific protein called Aquaporin 4 develop in the central nervous system, and the complement system is activated due to these antibodies, causing damage to the myelin sheath of the central nervous system and nerves.
Attention!
Although there is no clear information about the incidence of NMOSD, NMOSD is a very rare disease and it is thought to be 1-3 cases per 100,000 people. Speaking on the occasion of March, NMOSD Awareness Month, Dr. Banu Kılıç Taşköprü M.D., PhD, MBA, CPCC, Country Medical Director, at Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease emphasized that patients consult a physician with symptoms such as unilateral or bilateral vision loss, double vision, nausea, hiccups, arm and leg weakness, and difficulty in walking and added: It is caused by the inability to transmit messages about the brain to the visual field in the brain. Since it is a serious disease that causes disability and vision loss, the support of patients’ relatives is of great importance. Awareness of patient relatives is at least as critical as awareness of patients.”
Patients with symptoms of NMOSD should consult their specialist in Neurology
Recommending that patients with NMOSD symptoms apply to neurology specialists for diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Banu Kılıç Taşköprü M.D., PhD, MBA, CPCC said the following about the treatment options for the disease: “There are three different ways to treat NMOSD. The first of these is the treatment of attacks. Steroid therapy is used in attacks. Apart from steroid treatment, plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) can be used as a treatment. In the plasma exchange treatment, the antibodies that cause the disease are cleared from the body. The second treatment is the prevention of attacks. Immune system-suppressing treatments are used to prevent attacks and prevent progression of disability in the patient. These treatments are long-term treatments and are treatment options that regulate the immune system against this disease.These treatments are preferred according to the clinical conditions of the patients and changes can be made in these treatments according to the response received. The third treatment option is the treatment of the symptoms that occur with the attack. Due to the symptoms occurring in the patients, treatments for these symptoms are applied by the relevant branch physicians (internal medicine, urology, physical therapy and rehabilitation, psychiatry, etc.).
Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease Unit works on new treatments for NMOSD
Dr. Banu Kılıç Taşköprü M.D., PhD, MBA, CPCC said, “Within the framework of scientific studies and activities that are increasing day by day, the level of awareness about NMOSD is increasing among health professionals. As Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease Unit, we continue to work to develop new treatments for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD). In addition, we are trying to raise awareness about this disease with activities for physicians specializing in NMOSD. As Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease Unit team, we are always ready to contribute with our duties in order to transform the lives of patients suffering from NMOSD disease for the better, and to do more for human health every day.”
