NMOSD vs MS
NMOSD and MS are both chronic, autoimmune diseases that affect the central nervous system
MS, multiple sclerosis; NMOSD, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
NMOSD and MS can have similar symptoms, but NMOSD is far less common
NMOSD is characterized by unpredictable attacks that can result in various disabilities, including blindness, paralysis, and, less frequently, death.
43
of patients with NMOSD
were initially misdiagnosed with MS*†
73
of patients with NMOSD
tested positive for anti-AQP4, an antibody not present in MS‡
The wrong initial diagnosis of MS became less common after anti-AQP4 antibody testing was made commercially available in 2005 (20% of patients were misdiagnosed after 2005 vs 54.2% of patients before 2005).
In a study of 73 patients with NMOSD, 43% were initially misdiagnosed with MS.
73% of patients with NMOSD tested positive for AQP4 in a study out of 132 patients.
Anti-AQP4, anti-aquaporin-4.
Know the differences between the symptoms of NMOSD and MS
Select NMOSD symptoms or MS symptoms to view disease-specific symptoms.
Vision changes
Blindness
Spasms
Weakness
Numbness
Pain
NMOSD or MS
Fatigue
Paralysis
Hiccups
Bowel dysfunction
Nausea
Vomiting
Navigate your NMOSD
It’s crucial that you receive the correct diagnosis for your condition so that your doctor can treat it properly. If you think that you may have NMOSD or have already been diagnosed, talk to your doctor about how to reduce the risk of future attacks.
