Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: Updates on Diagnosis and Treatment Management

Activity Description

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare, relapsing, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that is characterized by inflammation in the optic nerve and spinal cord. Unfortunately, early stages of NMOSD are frequently misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis or other diseases. Diagnosis is typically based on the presence of key clinical characteristics—aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody status and magnetic resonance imaging. The application of newer diagnostic criteria may assist in an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of NMOSD in those who may have been diagnosed with other diseases. Until recently, the treatment options for NMOSD have been limited. Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to examine current NMOSD treatments for their mechanisms of action and modes of administration and to evaluate the clinical evidence regarding their safety and efficacy. In this continuing education activity, experts in the field will present didactic information, review cases of NMOSD, and engage in a panel discussion to summarize evidence-based diagnostic criteria and best practices that aid in the differential diagnosis of NMOSD. This program will aid clinicians in therapeutic decision-making regarding the use of current NMOSD therapeutics based on their mechanisms of action, efficacy, safety, and mode of administration. Finally, faculty will examine the interprofessional approaches to diagnose and manage patients with NMOSD.

Target Audience

The intended audience for this activity is neurologists, ophthalmologists, pharmacists, nurses, physician associates, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals involved in the management of patients with NMOSD.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

• Recognize the burdensome patient journey for those with NMOSD, including the effect on QoL.
• Implement diagnostic criteria and techniques for the differential diagnosis of NMOSD.
• Assess the MOA, safety, and efficacy of NMOSD therapies to aid in therapeutic decision making.
• Compare interprofessional strategies to diagnose and manage patients with NMOSD.

Activity Chair

Jeffrey L. Bennett, MD, PhD, FANA, FAAN
Gertrude Gilden Professor of Neurology
Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology
Programs in Neuroscience and Immunology
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, CO

Faculty

Patricia K. Coyle, MD, FAAN, FANA
Professor and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs
Department of Neurology
Director
Stony Brook MS Comprehensive Care Center
Renaissance School of Medicine
Stony Brook, NY

Heather E. Moss, MD, PhD, FAAN
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Neurology & Neurological Sciences
Stanford University
Palo Alto, CA

Brian G. Weinshenker, MD, FRCP(C), FAAN
Professor of Neurology
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA

Planners/Reviewers

Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP
Jennifer Frederick, PharmD, BCPS
Linda A. Giarraputo, BS, PA-C
Barbara A. Niedz, PhD, RN, CPHQ

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, Vindico Medical Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Designation

Vindico Medical Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Vindico Medical Education designates this activity for 1.25 nursing contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This program is acceptable for 1.25 contact hour of ACPE Continuing Education Credit. The ACPE Universal Program Number is JA0006104-0000-23-016-H01-P, effective 7/7/2023. This is a knowledge-based activity, and there is no fee to attend.

Vindico Medical Education has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hour(s) of continuing education (which includes 0.42 hour(s) of pharmacology) by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners®. Activity ID# 23066198. This activity was planned in accordance with AANP Accreditation Standards and Policies.

This enduring material is approved for 1 year from the date of original release, July 7, 2023, to July 6, 2024.

How to Participate in This Activity and Obtain CE Credit

To participate in this activity, you must read the objectives, answer the polling and pretest questions, view the content, and complete the posttest and evaluation. Provide only one (1) correct answer for each question. A satisfactory score is defined as answering 2 out of 3 of the posttest questions correctly. If a satisfactory score on the posttest is achieved, Vindico Medical Education will issue an AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ Certificate, AAPA Category 1 CME Certificate, AANP Contact Hour Certificate, or Statement of Continuing Pharmacy Education Credit.

Vindico Medical Education will provide pharmacist credits claimed information directly to the ACPE through CPE Monitor within 30 days.

Disclosures

Vindico Medical Education adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a continuing education activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Relationship information is accurate at the time of content development.

Activity Chair and Faculty report the following relevant financial relationship(s)

Jeffrey L. Bennett, MD, PhD, FANA, FAAN
Royalties or Patent Beneficiary: Compositions and Methods for the Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica; novel blocking monoclonal therapy for neuromyelitis optica – US Patent: 10,654,916
Advisor: Alexion-AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Genentech, Horizon, Imcyse, Roche
Consultant: Alexion-AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Chugai, Genentech, Horizon, Reistone, Roche
Speaker Contracted by Ineligible Company: Alexion-AstraZeneca Rare Disease
Independent Research Contractor: Alexion-AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Mallinckrodt
Data Safety Monitoring Board: Roche

Patricia K. Coyle, MD, FAAN, FANA
Consultant: Horizon
Independent Research Contractor: Genentech/Roche

Heather E. Moss, MD, PhD, FAAN
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Brian G. Weinshenker, MD, FRCP(C), FAAN
Royalties or Patent Beneficiary: NMO-IgG
Consultant: Chugai, Genentech, Roche
Speaker Contracted by Ineligible Company: Genentech, Horizon, Roche
Adjudication Committees: Alexion, Medimmune, Viela Bio/Horizon

Planners/Reviewers report the following relevant financial relationship(s)

Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Jennifer Frederick, PharmD, BCPS
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Linda A. Giarraputo, BS, PA-C
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Barbara A. Niedz, PhD, RN, CPHQ
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Vindico Medical Education staff report the following relevant financial relationship(s)

No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Signed disclosures are on file at Vindico Medical Education, Office of Medical Affairs and Compliance.

Unlabeled and Investigational Usage

The audience is advised that this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled uses of FDA-approved products or to products not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. The faculty members have been made aware of their obligation to disclose such usage. All activity participants will be informed if any speakers/authors intend to discuss either non–FDA-approved or investigational use of products/devices.

ADA Compliance

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with disabilities. A text-based transcript of this web activity is available upon request. Requests should include the activity title and emailed to [email protected]. Requests will be honored within 3 to 5 business days.

Copyright Statement

Created and published by Vindico Medical Education, 6900 Grove Road, Building 100, Thorofare, NJ 08086-9447. Telephone: 856-994-9400; Fax: 856-384-6680. Printed in the USA. Copyright © 2023 Vindico Medical Education. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

The material presented at or in any Vindico Medical Education continuing education activity does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Vindico Medical Education. Neither Vindico Medical Education nor the faculty endorse or recommend any techniques, commercial products, or manufacturers. The faculty/authors may discuss the use of materials and/or products that have not yet been approved by the FDA. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information before treating patients or utilizing any product.

CE Questions?

Contact us at [email protected]