Prevalence of autoimmune comorbidities in aquaporin 4-immunoglobulin G positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

What was studied

This review looked at autoimmune illnesses in people with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD. The authors searched many databases up to November 13, 2025. Studies covered 7843 people in all. They also compared regions and country income groups. Quality was checked with a standard tool.

What they found

These illnesses were often recorded. Sjögren's syndrome was the most frequent. Lupus came next. Thyroid disease came after that. Rates differed by region. They were higher in Europe than in Asia. They were also higher in high-income countries than in lower-middle-income ones.

What it means for patients

The authors say these illnesses were often documented. They say the numbers need careful reading. Gaps between regions may reflect the people studied. They may also reflect how illness was found. Health systems may play a part too.

Why it is not certain yet

The ways of finding illness varied between studies. Few studies used checked diagnosis rules. A review can only be as good as the studies in it. The abstract also gives a measure showing the studies differed from each other.

Source

Prevalence of autoimmune comorbidities in aquaporin 4-immunoglobulin G positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

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