Outcomes After Acute Plasma Exchange for Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody–Associated Disease
Smathorn Thakolwiboon, Vyanka Redenbaugh, Bo Chen, S. Hewitt, Shailee Shah, Itay Lotan, Michael Levy, Mirasol Forcadela, Saif Huda, Julie Pique, Romain Marignier, Clémence Boutière, Bertrand Audoin, Pascale Poullin, Dimitrios Champsas, David Choi, Helen V. Danesh‐Meyer, Eleni S. Vasileiou, Elias S. Sotirchos, James Davis, Amanda D. Henderson, Adi Wilf‐Yarkoni, Hadas Stiebel‐Kalish, Élisabeth Maillart, Laura Bonelli, Anthony C. Arnold, Marine Boudot de la Motte, Romain Deschamps, Jiraporn Jitprapaikulsan, Heather E. Moss, Sylvia E. Villarreal Navarro, Yang Mao‐Draayer, Murli Mishra, Nisa Vorasoot, Laura Cacciaguerra, Nanthaya Tisavipat, Deena Tajfirouz, Jan-Mendelt Tillema, A. Sebastian López‐Chiriboga, Jacqueline Palace, Yael Hacohen, Sean J. Pittock, Eoin P. Flanagan, John J. Chen
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Data on the plasma exchange (PLEX) in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) are limited. Herein, we evaluate outcomes after PLEX in MOGAD. METHODS: This international multicenter retrospective cohort study included patients from 18 tertiary care centers in 6 countries. Inclusion criteria included fulfillment of the 2023 International MOGAD panel criteria, receipt of at least 3 sessions of PLEX, and follow-up of ≥3 months after PLEX. Patients with coexisting neuroinflammatory disorders were excluded. We assessed the frequency of complete recovery (CR), clinically significant improvement (CSI), visual acuity (VA), and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of CR and CSI. RESULTS: < 0.001. Of 229 attacks without subsequent attacks within 3 months, 100 (44%) achieved CR and 213 (93%) CSI. The probability of CR was decreased with advanced age (adjusted odd ratio [95% CI] 0.97 [0.96-0.99] per year), higher EDSS worsening from baseline (0.66 [0.54-0.81] per 0.5 increment) and delayed PLEX (0.98 [0.96-0.99] per day). Advanced age (0.97 [0.96-0.99] per year) and delayed PLEX (0.95 [0.94-0.96] per day) decreased the probability of CSI. DISCUSSION: We observed favorable outcomes after PLEX in MOGAD attacks. However, advanced age and delayed initiation of PLEX were associated with a reduced probability of improvement. The absence of a control group limits our ability to differentiate PLEX effects from spontaneous recovery, prior corticosteroid response, or long-term immunotherapy. Future prospective studies are needed to assess the impact of PLEX on improvement. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that PLEX is associated with favorable clinical outcomes in patients with MOGAD.