Study of Suspected Optic Neuritis Cases (224 Patients)
In a study of 224 patients with suspected optic neuritis, 44.2% met the criteria for definite optic neuritis, while 3.1% were classified as possible optic neuritis. Among those with optic neuritis, 38.7% had a demyelinating disease, and a significant portion (57.5%) had no defined etiology. Limited testing was performed for cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands and specific antibodies related to optic neuritis.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
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- Human efficacy
- Not yet assessed
- Mechanism
- Not yet assessed
- Evidence strength
- Not yet assessed
- Outcome
- Not yet assessed
Why it matters
The findings underscore the variability in diagnostic outcomes for patients presenting with optic neuritis and highlight gaps in diagnostic protocols and testing availability, which could aid in better understanding and management of the condition.
What this does not prove
The study does not establish definitive causative diagnoses for all patients, particularly because more than half did not meet complete diagnostic criteria for optic neuritis.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Not reported
- Participants / samples
- 224 · Total number of patients included in the study
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-10
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
Original sources
- Primary evidenceDiagnostic challenges in suspected optic neuritis: a 5-year retrospective application of the 2022 international criteria. ↗DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2026.107977
Supporting passages (7)
sample sizeThis retrospective observational study included patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary public hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, with an initial diagnosis of optic neuritis (ICD-10 H46) between 2019 and 2023.
sample size basisA total of 224 patients with suspected optic neuritis were included.
findings99 (44.2%) fulfilled the criteria for definite ON and 7 (3.1%) were classified as possible ON.
findingsWithin the ON cohort, 41 patients (38.7%) had demyelinating disease, 2 (1.9%) had systemic inflammatory disease, and 2 (1.9%) had infectious etiologies, whereas 61 (57.5%) remained without a defined etiology.
findingsAccess to paraclinical investigations was limited: cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands were assessed in 13 patients (12.3%), AQP4-IgG in 42 (39.6%), and MOG-IgG in 19 (17.9%).
limitationsThese findings highlight the need for improved adherence to standardized diagnostic frameworks and broader access to essential paraclinical investigations.
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-10
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