To investigate the risk of macrovascular events in patients with ICD-defined Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) compared to a matched population without NMO.
Approach:
Study Design: A retrospective cohort study using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) from 2003 to 2020.
Participants: 1,376 patients with new-onset NMO were identified and matched with 6,880 controls based on various criteria.
Statistical Analysis: Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cerebrovascular disease (CBD) after controlling for relevant variables.
Key Findings:
Patients with NMO had a higher risk of CVD (aHR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.11–1.77) compared to controls.
Patients with NMO had a significantly higher risk of CBD (aHR = 3.37; 95% CI = 2.69–4.22).
Significant associations were found between NMO and ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and transient ischemic attack.
No elevated risk was observed for acute myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, or heart failure.
Interpretation:
Individuals with NMO exhibit an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease.
Limitations:
The study relies on ICD coding, which may not accurately distinguish between NMOSD and MOGAD.
The observational design may be subject to selection bias and confounding factors.
Conclusion:
NMO is associated with an elevated risk of cerebrovascular events.
