Abstract | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) associated with aquaporin-4 autoantibodies (AQP4-IgG) can cause severe disability. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are critical to prevent relapses. A novel score is described based on clinical and neuroimaging characteristics that predicts AQP4-IgG positivity in patients with LETM. METHODS: Patients were enrolled both retrospectively and prospectively from multiple Italian centers. Clinical and neuroimaging characteristics of AQP4-IgG positive and negative patients were compared through univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were included. Twenty-seven (41%) were AQP4-IgG positive and median age at onset was 45.5 years (range 19-81, interquartile range 24). Female sex (odds ratio [OR] 17.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6-381.9; p = 0.014), tonic spasms (OR 45.6, 95% CI 3.1-2197; p = 0.017) and lesion hypointensity on T1-weighted images (OR 52.9, 95% CI 6.8-1375; p = 0.002) were independently associated with AQP4-IgG positivity. The AQP4-IgG positivity in myelitis (AIM) score predicted AQP4-IgG positivity with 85% sensitivity and 95% specificity. Positive and negative likelihood ratios were 16.6 and 0.2 respectively. The inter-rater and intra-rater agreement in the score application were both excellent. CONCLUSIONS: The AIM score predicts AQP4-IgG positivity with good sensitivity and specificity in patients with a first episode of LETM. The score may assist clinicians in early diagnosis and treatment of AQP4-IgG positive LETM.
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Authors | Lucia Campetella, Claudia Papi, Gregorio Spagni, Eleonora Sabatelli, Sara Mariotto, Matteo Gastaldi, Gianvito Masi, Sara Carta, Lara Ahmad, Francesca Rossi, Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco, Giovanna De Luca, Raffaele Iorio |
Journal | European journal of neurology
(Eur J Neurol)
Vol. 30
Issue 8
Pg. 2534-2538
(08 2023)
ISSN: 1468-1331 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 37170839
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2023 The Authors. European Journal of Neurology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Neurology. |
Chemical References |
- Aquaporin 4
- Immunoglobulin G
- Autoantibodies
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Topics |
- Humans
- Female
- Young Adult
- Adult
- Middle Aged
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Myelitis, Transverse
(diagnostic imaging)
- Neuromyelitis Optica
(diagnostic imaging)
- Retrospective Studies
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
- Aquaporin 4
- Immunoglobulin G
- Autoantibodies
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