Objective: To describe the clinical features and evaluate the prognostic factors of patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis.

Methods: The demographic data, clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging findings, treatment process and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores of 28 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis were collected. Univariate analysis and logistic regression model were used to evaluate the factors related to mRS score at discharge and 6-month follow-up.

Results: Univariate analysis showed that mRS score at discharge was significantly correlated with unconsciousness, intracranial pressure and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (P=0.009, P=0.029, P=0.037). mRS score at 6-month follow-up was significantly correlated with unconsciousness, serum anti-NMDAR antibody titer and leukocyte count in cerebrospinal fluid (P=0.046, P=0.013, P=0.028). Multivariate analysis showed that elevated intracranial pressure was an independent risk factor for mRS score>2 at discharge (odds ratio: 1.016; P=0.027), and increased number of leukocytes in cerebrospinal fluid was an independent risk factor for mRS score>2 at 6-month follow-up (odds ratio: 1.029; P=0.044).

Conclusion: Intracranial pressure and leukocyte count in cerebrospinal fluid are prognostic factors of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Enough attention should be paid to patients with significant increase in early intracranial pressure and the number of leukocytes in cerebrospinal fluid, and corresponding treatment should be given in time, in order to improve the prognosis of these patients.