Background Studies have demonstrated that antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) may be correlated with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). However, the conflicting results of studies about the value of ANAs in AQP4 antibody‐positive NMOSD patients need to be further investigated. Material Case data were collected from 143 patients with AQP4 antibody‐positive NMOSD. Patients were divided into two groups based on the ANA test results. The analysis of clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, and MRI examination results were compared between two groups: the NMOSD patients with ANA (+) and with ANA (−). Results Disease duration of NMOSD is shorter in the ANA (+) patients with EDSS < 4 than in the ANA (−) patients (12.05 ± 16.73 versus 29.43 ± 41.03, p‐value = .013). The median time from disease onset to an EDSS score of 4.0 is significantly longer in the ANA (−) NMOSD patients than in the ANA (+) patients (48.2 months versus 24 months, p = .04). In addition, ANA (RR, 2.234; 95% CI, 1.078–4.629; p‐value = .031) can predict the severity of NMOSD. Conclusions Antinuclear antibodies seem to be associated with more severe disease activity in NMOSD patients.

<b><i>Background and Objective:</i></b> Limited studies are available for male patients with anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab)-positive late-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (LONMOSD). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of Chinese male patients with AQP4-Ab-positive LONMOSD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 12 male patients with LONMOSD, 16 male patients with early-onset NMOSD (EONMOSD), and 64 female patients with LONMOSD. These enrolled patients were classified according to the age of onset: LONMOSD (≥50 years of age at onset) versus EONMOSD (&#x3c;50 years of age at onset). Clinical characteristics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were collected. All included patients were positive for AQP4 antibody. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Compared with female LONMOSD patients, male LONMOSD patients had less frequent transverse myelitis (TM) at onset (8.33 vs. 53.13%, <i>p</i> = 0.004) and lower Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores (median 1 vs. 4, <i>p</i> = 0.036). Compared with male EONMOSD patients, male LONMOSD patients had a shorter time from onset to diagnosis (0.85 months vs. 6.00 months, <i>p</i> = 0.04). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Less common TM at onset, less disease severity, and shorter time from onset to diagnosis probably occur in male LONMOSD patients.

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Objectives: The function of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in the kidney has been studied. However, the effect on the kidney from anti-NAMDAR antibody encephalitis has not been investigated thus far.Methods: Case data were collected from 82 patients with anti-NMDAR antibody encephalitis and 166 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Clinical characteristics, urinalysis [including urine pH and urine specific gravity (SG)], serum creatinine (Scr), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on Cr levels were evaluated.Results: At initial admission, urine pH levels and urine SG levels in anti-NMDAR antibody encephalitis patients were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than HCs (both p &lt; 0.001). There were no significant differences in Scr and eGFR between anti-NMDAR antibody encephalitis patients and HCs. Urine pH levels in patients with anti-NMDAR antibody &lt;1:32 were significantly lower than those in patients with anti-NMDAR antibody ≥1:32 (p = 0.029). Urine pH levels were significantly lower (p = 0.004) and urine SG levels were significantly higher (p = 0.027) in a follow-up evaluation 3 months after treatment.Conclusions: The changes in urinalysis occur in patients with anti-NMDAR antibody encephalitis. The pathophysiological changes in anti-NMDAR antibody encephalitis were not limited to the CNS.

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