Demographic and Epidemiological Profile of Optic Neuritis in Colombia: A Retrospective Study Using Data from the Comprehensive Information System for Social Protection

Optic neuritis (ON) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) lead to demyelinating neuropathy of the optic nerve. The prevalence of this condition has been shown to vary depending on where it is studied. This research aims to describe the demographic characteristics of optic neuritis in Colombia from 2015 to 2021. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, collecting data from the Integrated Social Protection Information System (SISPRO). This data included diagnostic codes according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) for distinct types of optic neuritis from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021. We conducted descriptive analyses to delineate the geographical patterns, age demographics, gender distribution and sought to estimate the prevalence of optic neuritis within Colombia during the specified timeframe. We identified a total of 22,525 patients: 6,336 (28.12%) with a diagnosis of NMOSD and 16,189 (71.88%) with a diagnosis of optic ON. The incidence of ON and NMOSD was 7.29 and 2.05 cases per 100 individuals, respectively. The mean age for NMOSD was 45 years and for ON was 44 years. 78.5% of NMOSD patients were female, with a higher prevalence in the departments of Risaralda, Sucre, and Bogotá. For ON, 64.1% of patients were female, with a higher prevalence in Antioquia, Sucre, and Tolima. This is the first epidemiological study of ON and NMOSD conducted in Colombia. The identified prevalence situates the country in the higher range of disease occurrence. Diagnoses are more frequently made in regions with a larger Caucasian population.