Objective:

To quantify and characterize the healthcare utilization of patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) in our academic neuroimmunology clinic.

Background:

Healthcare utilization of various demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has been documented but little research exists on the healthcare utilization of MOGAD. Further clarifying various aspects of how the healthcare system is utilized by MOGAD patients could be used to establish guidelines and treatment decisions.

Design/Methods:

A retrospective analysis of patients within our clinic’s database was performed. Data were collected on patients diagnosed with MOGAD from 2015 to present.

Results:

Eleven patients were identified with an average age of 43 (range 24-72), 5 were female (45%). Self-identified racial distribution was white/Caucasian (5), black/African American (3), Asian (1) and two declined or were unable to respond. Average length of disease was 46 months (range 1-204 months). Average frequency of clinic visits was a visit every 3.7 months (range 1-8.7). Average frequency of MRIs was one every 10.9 months (range 1-11). Majority (8 of 11, 72%) were on B-cell depleting therapy; others were on mycophenolate mofetil (2, 18%) and IVIg (1, 9%). 5/11 (45%) had a hospitalization after their initial diagnosis. Average number of symptomatic medications was 1 (range 0-4) and average number of referrals was 0.7 (range 0-2). Majority of the medications were for psychiatric comorbidities while majority of referrals were to neuro-ophthalmology.

Conclusions:

MOGAD patients utilize multiple aspects of the healthcare system for maintenance of their disease or exacerbations, similarly to MS and NMOSD. However, when compared to MS, MOGAD patients had higher hospitalization rates, even with the majority on maintenance use of B-cell depleting therapy, indicating the need for further studies on optimal treatments for MOGAD patients.