Unemployment, work hour reduction, and income loss: An international, multicentered, cross-sectional study of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To assess loss of employment, work hours, and wages of people with aquaporin-4 antibody-positive or double-seronegative/antibody status unknown neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) internationally.

Methods

An investigator-designed survey was administered to adults ages 18-70 years with NMOSD and distributed by neurologists in 23 countries, July 2022 to September 2023.

Results

There were 897 participants (635 aquaporin-4 antibody positive, 262 double-seronegative/untested; 81.4% female, average age 42.5 years, average disease duration 7.6 years, median 2 disease attacks since diagnosis). NMOSD impact was visual loss (34.0% unilateral; 28.2% bilateral), 61.8% with spinal cord disease, 55.6% with pain, 43.6% with fatigue, 38.2% with depressed mood, a

SUBMITTER: Ham AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12501392 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature