Abstract Details

Title Impact of Primary Spoken Language on Health Outcomes in Individuals With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder in a Single, U.S. Based Academic Center

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P6 - Poster Session 6 (5:00 PM-6:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 18-009

Objective To evaluate whether an individual’s primary spoken language (English vs non-English) is associated with clinical outcomes in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) in a single U.S academic center.

Background Disparities in disease course and clinical care have been observed in several neurologic disorders, including NMOSD. This study evaluates whether self-reported primary language contributes to disparities in clinical outcomes.

Design/Methods Sixty-seven individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of NMOSD were identified within a single academic center between 2012-August 2025. Demographics (race, sex, age, primary spoken language), clinical history, clinical outcomes (reported relapses, Expanded Disability Scale Score [EDSS], Charleston Comorbidity Index [CCI]) were collected by systematic retrospective chart review. Statistical analyses were conducted using t-tests and linear regression.

Results Of 67 patients, 53 were primary English speakers and 14 were primary non-English speakers (5 Spanish, 3 Vietnamese, and 1 each Mandarin, Korean, Balochi, French, Cantonese, Somali). Overall, 52 (77.6%) were female and mean age at diagnosis was 48 years. Self-identified race included 33 White (49%), 13 Asian (19%), 8 Black/African American (12%), 2 American Indian/Alaska Native (3%), 3 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (4.5%), 8 unknown. Primary non-English speakers had fewer reported relapses compared to primary-English speakers (1.6 vs 2.5 relapses, p=0.049). No significant findings were observed in CCI or EDSS between the groups (Mean CCI=2.32 (SD:1.67) primary English; 3.07 (SD: 3.1) primary non-English, p=0.40; Median EDSS=4.0 (SD:2.35) primary English; 3.0 (SD: 2.14) primary non-English, p=0.55). However, cardiovascular comorbidities particularity diabetes, were frequent among primary non-English speakers: five (62.5%) had diabetes mellitus in comparison to seven (15.2%) primary English speakers (p=0.035). Additional analyses related to healthcare utilization and practice patterns will be presented.

Conclusions Primary spoken language may have an impact on the reported number of relapses and cardiovascular risks like diabetes in NMOSD. Future research is needed to explore language-related disparities in a larger-scale multicenter cohort.

Authors/Disclosures
Zoe Thomas PRESENTER	Ms. Thomas has nothing to disclose.
Bianca Le, MA-P (University of Washington)	Ms. Le has nothing to disclose.
Shuvro Roy, MD (University of Washington)	Dr. Roy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Amgen. Dr. Roy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Genentech. Dr. Roy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for TG Therapeutics. Dr. Roy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Alexion. The institution of Dr. Roy has received research support from The Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association.
Yujie Wang, MD (UW Northwest)	Dr. Wang has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for TG Therapeutics. The institution of Dr. Wang has received research support from Genentech. The institution of Dr. Wang has received research support from uniQure. The institution of Dr. Wang has received research support from NIH/NINDS.

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