RESUMO
BACKGROUND: There are few epidemiological studies published in the world evaluating the prevalence of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD). The true prevalence of the disease is not known and the studies carried out are based on the diagnostic criteria used prior to 2015. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of NMOSD in Antioquia, from January 2016 to December 2018. METHODS: The prevalence of NMOSD in Antioquia was determined using the Capture-Recapture Method. Eight centers in the Department of Antioquia for the care of patients with neurological diseases were included. The data was collected between 2016 and 2018. RESULTS: A total of 221 consultation histories, 169 patients with a diagnosis of NMOSD were identified. The prevalence was 4.03 cases/100,000 inhabitants (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3-4.8) of whom (87.5%), were women and the predominant race was Mestizo (81.6%). The most frequent initial presentation was optic neuritis (ON) (50.9%). Most of the patients had motor or visual disability (86.4%) and the treatment most used was Rituximab (47.9%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NMOSD in Antioquia is one of the highest reported in the world, except for the French Antilles. More studies are required to know the prevalence of this disease in the Colombian population.