Towards shared decision-making in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder using real-world evidence: an interview with Professor Friedemann Paul

8 Dec 2022

Written by Friedemann Paul (Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin)

Comparative effectiveness research Events coverage Interviews Medical devices, pharmaceuticals and vaccines Neurology and psychiatry Rare diseases and orphan drugs Real-world evidence

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare, severe, relapsing neuroinflammatory autoimmune disease that attacks the optic nerve, spinal cord and brain stem. Globally, 0.5–4 in every 100,000 people are affected by NMOSD. The disease has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life, with symptoms including pain, depression, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, severe vision loss or blindness, and permanent motor disability. Unfortunately, NMOSD is often misdiagnosed or missed due to its similarities to other conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). As NMOSD and MS are treated differently, early detection and treatment is vital to ensure the best outcomes for patients. In...