Blood Parameters in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMO)

Abstract

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMO) is a chronic, inflammatory, immune-mediated disease. This study aimed to determine blood parameters in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in outpatient MS clinic of Kashani Hospital. Seventy-five cases with NMOSD and 121 healthy control (HC) were recruited. We extracted data on the last blood test values just before commencement of treatment from database and hospital records. The blood parameters included white blood cell (WBC), red blood count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (PLT), lymphocyte (LYMP), neutrophil (NEUTP), red-cell distribution width (RDWCV). We also calculated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte-ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-WBC ratio (NWC), and lymphocyte-to-WBC ratio (LWR). Regression method was used for data analysis. Findings: There were a higher level of MCH, MCHC, NLR and PLR in NMO patients compared to HC. However, patients with NMO had lower LYMP, NEUTP, NWR, and LWR than control group. A higher levels of RBC, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, and MCHC were observed among men. Higher EDSS score was associated with increased WBC. Patients with comorbidity had significantly higher MCV and MCH than those without comorbidity, whereas, RDWCV was lower. Conclusion: Our results showed that blood indexes changed in NMOSD. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relation between these indexes with NMOSD. © 2025, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.