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August 13, 2019Research

Worldwide survey of neurologists on approach to autoimmune encephalitis

Aravind Ganesh, Luca Bartolini, Sarah F. Wesley
First published August 13, 2019, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000701
Aravind Ganesh
Department of Clinical Neurosciences (AG), University of Calgary, Canada; Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia (AG), University of Oxford, United Kingdom; Clinical Epilepsy Section (LB), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Neurology (SFW), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
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Luca Bartolini
Department of Clinical Neurosciences (AG), University of Calgary, Canada; Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia (AG), University of Oxford, United Kingdom; Clinical Epilepsy Section (LB), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Neurology (SFW), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
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Sarah F. Wesley
Department of Clinical Neurosciences (AG), University of Calgary, Canada; Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia (AG), University of Oxford, United Kingdom; Clinical Epilepsy Section (LB), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Neurology (SFW), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
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Worldwide survey of neurologists on approach to autoimmune encephalitis
Aravind Ganesh, Luca Bartolini, Sarah F. Wesley
Neurol Clin Pract Aug 2019, 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000701; DOI: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000701

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Abstract

Objective To explore practice differences in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune encephalitis (AE), which is complicated by issues with sensitivity/specificity of antibody testing, nonspecific MRI/EEG/CSF findings, and competing differential diagnoses.

Methods We used a worldwide electronic survey with practice-related demographic questions and clinical questions about 2 cases: (1) a 20-year-old woman with a neuropsychiatric presentation strongly suspicious of AE and (2) a 40-year-old man with new temporal lobe seizures and cognitive impairment. Responses among different groups were compared using multivariable logistic regression.

Results We received 1,333 responses from 94 countries; 12.0% identified as neuroimmunologists. Case 1: those treating >5 AE cases per year were more likely to send antibodies in both serum and CSF (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] vs 0 per year: 3.29, 95% CI 1.31–8.28, p = 0.011), pursue empiric immunotherapy (aOR: 2.42, 95% CI 1.33–4.40, p = 0.004), and continue immunotherapy despite no response and negative antibodies at 2 weeks (aOR: 1.65, 95% CI 1.02–2.69, p = 0.043). Case 2: neuroimmunologists were more likely to send antibodies in both serum and CSF (aOR: 1.80, 95% CI 1.12–2.90, p = 0.015). Those seeing >5 AE cases per year (aOR: 1.86, 95% CI 1.22–2.86, p = 0.004) were more likely to start immunotherapy without waiting for antibody results.

Conclusions Our results highlight the heterogeneous management of AE. Neuroimmunologists and those treating more AE cases generally take a more proactive approach to testing and immunotherapy than peers. Results highlight the need for higher-quality cohorts and trials to guide empiric immunotherapy, and evidence-based guidelines aimed at both experts and nonexperts. Because the average AE patient is unlikely to be first seen by a neuroimmunologist, ensuring greater uniformity in our approach to suspected cases is essential to ensure that patients are appropriately managed.

  • Received March 7, 2019.
  • Accepted May 16, 2019.
  • © 2019 American Academy of Neurology

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