Neuromyelitis optica: effect of gender.

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica is a distinct CNS demyelinating disease associated with the autoantibody NMO-IgG, which targets the water channel aquaporin-4. Neuromyelitis optica may be distinguished from typical multiple sclerosis on the basis of key clinical and neuroimaging characteristics in addition to detection of NMO-IgG. The disease has an even stronger female predilection than does multiple sclerosis, with a reasonably consistent female to male gender ratio of >3:1 reported from samples of diverse racial and regional populations worldwide. The gender distribution appears to be similar in both childhood-onset and adult-onset cases. Female gender is associated with a relapsing course and familial disease, but the influence of gender on disease severity and treatment response are not clear. Population-based epidemiological and genetic studies, with case ascertainment aided by the high specificity of NMO-IgG and consistent disease definitions, are needed to better define and understand gender effects in neuromyelitis optica.

• Authors: Dean M Wingerchuk
• Journal: Journal of the neurological sciences (J Neurol Sci) Vol. 286 Issue 1-2 Pg. 18-23 (Nov 15 2009) ISSN: 1878-5883 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 19740485 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Aquaporin 4
• Autoantibodies

Topics

• Adult
• Age of Onset
• Aquaporin 4 (immunology)
• Autoantibodies (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Neuromyelitis Optica (diagnosis, epidemiology, genetics, therapy)
• Sex Factors
• Sex Ratio