Safety and efficacy of rituximab in mogad : Five year study

Objective: To assess the safety & efficacy of rituximab in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disorder (MOGAD).

Methodology: This was a 5 years ambispective study carried out on thirty-seven patients in a hospital of eastern India from 2019-2024. The primary outcomes were annualized relapse rate & EDSS.

Result: Out of 37 patients ,24 were males, 13 were females. Median disease duration pre RTX was 18.1 months & post RTX was 31.4 months.

Median age of onset of disease was 36.4 year (26.9-45.9).

Mean EDSS decreased from 5.18 at entry of inclusion to study to 4.43 at 6 months & to

3.81 at 12 months with p value <0.05.

ARR has been decreased from 1.2+- 1.3 to 0.5+-0.8 with p value 0.016. Number of relapses were also significantly decreased.

Only 1 patient had UTI rest did not have any adverse effect.

Conclusion: Rituximab found to be safe & effective in Indian MOGAD patients.

Further studies with longer duration of follow up and larger clinical trials in different geographic locations are essential to assess the safety and efficacy of Rituximab.

Dr. Sonalika Behera’s journey into medicine reflects dedication, resilience, and compassion. Inspired by the intricate science of the nervous system, she chose neurology as her field to better understand and treat complex brain disorders. Her career has been guided by strong values of empathy, honesty, and lifelong learning. She believes in patient-centered care, where listening is as important as treatment. Alongside her clinical work, she is committed to teaching and contributing to academic writing, with the goal of making neurology more approachable for students and colleagues. For her, medicine is both a profession and a meaningful way to serve humanity.