Clinical and pathological features of acute optic neuritis in Chinese patients

Background The incentives and the factors that affect the onset and outcome of optic neuritis (ON) are not very clear. The aim of this study is to define and get a comprehensive understanding of the clinical profile of ON, and to identify the factors that were related to the prognosis of the patients. Methods Medical records of patients with diagnosis of ON at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University between March 2008 and June 2011 were reviewed. Clinical features, ophthalmologic and neurologic assessments, neuroimaging studies, laboratory examinations, visual recovery, and final outcome of the patients were evaluated by the authors. Results Records of 50 patients (32 females and 18 males), aged 15-56 years, were reviewed, in which 22% patients had a previous onset of ON. Maximal visual deficit was severe in 72.5% (<20/200). Abnormal rates of hormone levels and rheumatoid indicators were found in 54.2% and 25.0%. ANA test returned positive in 40%, oligoclonal banding (OCB) was identified in 31.3%, and Serum neuromyelitis optica (NMO)-IgG studies were abnormal in 25% of the patients. Neuroimaging abnormalities associated with ON were documented in six patients. Three of the 50 patients have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and two with NMO. Visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 26.1% and 20/100 or worse in 39.1% affected eyes at the last visit. Poor visual acuity at onset is the main factor that would affect the final outcome of vision (P < 0.05). Conclusions Vision defects of this group of patients were severe. Females had a higher incidence of ON than males. Hormone levels, rheumatoid indicators and immune parameters may be related to the onset of ON. The severe reduction of visual acuity at onset may be related to the poor outcome of vision in ON patients.