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Opinion|Videos|December 2, 2024

Implications of Relapse and Hospitalization Rates with Rituximab Use in NMOSD Management

Author(s)Michael Levy, MD, PhD

Key Takeaways

Rituximab shows higher hospitalization rates than complement inhibitors, influencing treatment decisions in NMOSD management.
B-cell depletion by rituximab may not fully prevent relapses, affecting its efficacy in NMOSD.
Long-term rituximab use raises safety concerns, including infection risk and infusion reactions.
Relapse rates and hospitalization trends impact healthcare costs and patient quality of life, necessitating careful treatment evaluation.

SHOW MORE

A panelist discusses how comparing hospitalization rates, relapse risks, and safety considerations between rituximab and other NMOSD therapies, such as complement inhibitors, can provide valuable insights to guide treatment decisions, manage healthcare costs, and optimize patient quality of life.

Episodes in this series

Michael Levy, MD, PhD, is featured in this series.

EP. 1 Current Treatment Landscape of AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD and Considerations on Relapse Rates

Michael Levy, MD, PhD, is featured in this series.

EP. 2 Shared Decision-making for Selection of FDA-approved Therapies for NMOSD

Michael Levy, MD, PhD, is featured in this series.

EP. 3 Implications of Relapse and Hospitalization Rates with Rituximab Use in NMOSD Management

Michael Levy, MD, PhD, is featured in this series.

EP. 4 NMOSD Management with New FDA-approved Agents to Reduce Relapse and Hospitalization Rates

Video content above is prompted by the following:

How do hospitalization rates for rituximab compare with those seen in patients treated with complement inhibitors or other therapies?
- What implications will this have on treatment decisions?
Please review any underlying biological or mechanistic associated with higher relapse rates reported with rituximab.
What are some key safety considerations beyond relapse rates that may need to be addressed with long-term rituximab use in patients with NMOSD?
What implications do relapse rates and hospitalization trends have on healthcare costs and patient quality of life in NMOSD management?

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