EFICÁCIA DO TRATAMENTO COM AZATIOPRINA NO ESPECTRO NEUROMIELITE ÓPTICA

Abstract

Introduction. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a severe inflammatory and demyelinating condition of the central nervous system, which frequently affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. Treatment of NMO consists of immunosuppressing the patient to prevent new outbreaks. Objective. Determine the efficacy of azathioprine in the treatment of NMO. Methodology. Retrospective study of 64 patients with NMOSD, who were followed up at the Santa Casa Neurology Service in Belo Horizonte from January 2004 to January 2017. Results. Azathioprine was effective at decreasing the rate of outbreaks, with a reduction of approximately 66% in the total number of events (P = 0.00). The mean number of outbreaks per patient went from 1.2 to 0.3 after initiating treatment (P = 0.009). Discussion. Azathioprine has been shown to be effective in preventing new outbreaks of NMO, ensuring stabilization of the Expanded Disability Status Scale and the minimization of possible sequelae.