Early rituximab versus escalating therapy in neuromyelitis optica: A cost and quality of life analysis

•Rituximab can be prescribed as first-line treatment (early treatment) or after disease activity in patients receiving oral immunosuppressants (escalating therapy) in patients with NMOSD.•Early rituximab treatment may reduce disability progression in NMOSD patients.•Cost-effectiveness analysis supports early rituximab treatment for NMOSD patients.