Comparison of efficacy and tolerability of azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and lower dosages of rituximab among patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

AZA, MMF and reduced dosages of rituximab are all effective in reducing ARR and improving the clinical symptom of patients with NMOSD. Lower dosages of RTX are more effective than the others in decreasing the CD19 B-cell counts. MMF and reduced RTX decrease AQP-4-IgG titre more and cause fewer adverse events than AZA. However, more multicentre studies are still needed to find more effective therapeutic regimen.