Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to delineate the clinical features underlying the concurrent disease of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myasthenia gravis (MG), and to identify efficacious therapeutic strategies. BACKGROUND: NMOSD and MG are uncommon autoimmune diseases that infrequently co-exist. Despite previous reports, a consensus on treating NMOSD concurrent with MG is lacking. METHODS: We present the case of a 55-year-old female with both anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody-positive NMOSD and anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive MG, who achieved stable disease control following treatment with inebilizumab without significant adverse effects. We also conducted a literature review to evaluate the clinical profile of this comorbidity. RESULTS: Our review identified 85 patients with concurrent NMOSD and MG. In 70 well-documented cases, MG predated NMOSD in 60 (85.8%) cases, with 42 (70%) patients having undergone thymectomy. Six (8.6%) patients were first diagnosed with NMOSD, and then thymectomy was performed in 2 (33.3%) MG patients. For NMOSD treatment, although most patients received steroid hormones and immunosuppressive agents, quite a few patients had persistent severe disability. Additionally, of 44 patients with clear records of disease recurrence, 31 patients(70.5%) experienced frequent relapses of optic neuritis and myelitis, ranging from 1 to 15 attacks, averaging five. The manifestations of MG are mainly included fatigability, diplopia, and blepharoptosis, with symptoms well-controlled in most patients. Our patient treated with inebilizumab for 1 year and no relapse was recorded to date. CONCLUSIONS: Though MG typically precedes NMOSD and thymectomy is frequently performed, it is not a prerequisite for NMOSD development but may represent a potential risk factor. MG generally follows a benign course, in contrast to the more aggressive nature of NMOSD. The utility of biological agents such as inebilizumab for patients with both NMOSD combined with MG warrants further attention.