Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39866260›Full record

ArticleAME case reports2025

AQP4 antibody-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in a patient with mixed connective tissue disease: a case report.

Ennio Polilli, Paola Volpe, Jessica Elisabetta Esposito, Annalisa Di Risio, Caterina Di Carmine, Giancarlo Di Iorio, Marco Gabini, Pierluigi Tocco

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in AME case reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Ennio PolilliClinical Pathology Unit, Pescara General Hospital, Pescara, Italy.
Paola VolpeReumathology Unit, Pescara General Hospital, Pescara, Italy.
Jessica Elisabetta EspositoClinical Pathology Unit, Pescara General Hospital, Pescara, Italy.
Annalisa Di RisioClinical Pathology Unit, Pescara General Hospital, Pescara, Italy.
Caterina Di CarmineNeurology and Stroke Unit, Pescara General Hospital, Pescara, Italy.
Giancarlo Di IorioClinical Pathology Unit, Pescara General Hospital, Pescara, Italy.
Marco GabiniReumathology Unit, Pescara General Hospital, Pescara, Italy.
Pierluigi ToccoNeurology and Stroke Unit, Pescara General Hospital, Pescara, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) are degenerative diseases frequently associated with severe recurrences and high risk of progressive disability. In this report, we describe an unusual case of a patient with the coexistence between NMOSD and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Case Description: A 58-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) with low back pain and walking inability. He had an unsteady gait, paraesthesia of the lower limbs and pain in the left lumbar area of the spine. He previously manifested repeated episodes of Raynaud's phenomenon. The neurological examination revealed pyramidal signs with asymmetric and progressive paraparesis associated with hypoesthesia and bladder dysfunction. A spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of a long extensive cervico-dorsal myelitis. Among laboratory analyses, serum immunometric examinations came back positive for anti-RNP (272 U/mL) and anti-SSA (20 U/mL) antibodies, whereas a recombinant immunofluorescence assay revealed the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against AQP4. Consequently, he was treated with high-doses of corticosteroids, with progressive resolution of symptoms. To date, his last cervico-dorsal spine MRI showed negative results. Conclusions: Only a few anecdotal cases of the coexistence between NMOSD and MCTD have so far been described, and many clinical aspects of this association are not yet fully known. Missed diagnosis of rheumatologic or neurologic diseases may lead to treatment delay and, potentially, irreversible disability. Closer collaboration between neurologists and rheumatologists is needed for the early diagnosis of both diseases.

Indexed as

AQP4-IgGcase reportDevic’s syndromemixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)

Identifiers

PMID39866260
PMCPMC11761318

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.