Although there appears to be a degree of correlation between autoantibody levels in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and disease severity, routine clinical use of autoantibody level testing is not recommended due to the limited evidence regarding the subject. The role of autoantibodies directed towards nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, autoantibodies muscle-specific kinase, and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related…
An upcoming systematic review aims to assess the clinical characteristics of ocular myasthenia gravis (MG) as well as the proportion of patients with ocular MG that progress to secondary generalized MG. Approximately half of the patients have positive antibodies against the neuromuscular junction receptors, acetylcholine receptors, and muscle-specific kinase receptors. However, the true proportion of…
Rituximab may be effective in preventing debilitating symptoms of myasthenia gravis (MG), indicating its efficacy as a potential first-line treatment, according to a randomized trial. The results showed that patients who received rituximab had fewer symptoms and needed less rescue therapy at week 16 compared to those in the placebo group. About 70% of patients…
Metformin may reverse some of the autoimmune landmarks in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), according to an experimental study. In the rodent study, the spleen showed the highest levels of miR-146a, a microRNA previously linked with autoimmune disorders. On the other hand, lymph nodes and the thymus had decreased levels of the same molecule. Moreover,…
The use of a single low-dose rituximab infusion may help improve symptoms in patients with refractory myasthenia gravis (MG), according to a study published in the Journal of Neurological Sciences. In the small study cohort, 13 out of the 17 patients responded to the rituximab treatment, with 6 even achieving asymptomatic status. The patients who…
Myasthenia gravis is a multisystem autoimmune disease that results in fatigable muscle weakness. There are various classes of the disease depending on its severity. In mild cases, only the extraocular muscles are involved; in severe cases, the throat and respiratory muscles are involved, leading to breathing difficulties. Among the lesser known symptoms of myasthenia gravis…
Most myasthenia gravis (MG) patients will hear or read about thymectomy surgery not long after diagnosis.
Treatment with tacrolimus improves clinical symptoms and modulates plasma levels of soluble costimulatory molecules and their ligands in patients with refractory myasthenia gravis (MG), a recent study suggests. Significant reductions in clinical scores, including the Quantitative MG score (QMG), the MG-specific manual muscle test (MMT), the MG-related activities of the daily living score (MG-ADL), and…
A new study has determined that moderate or severe anemia is relatively common among female patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). The study, published in PLOS ONE, noted that the long-term immunosuppressive treatment commonly administered to patients with MG is a probable cause of anemia. “The causes of anemia are complex and diverse, and some of…
Specific factors regarding care in the neurology intensive care unit (ICU) for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) could predict future complications, according to a study recently published in Neurological Sciences. This retrospective study included 118 patients previously diagnosed with MG who together experienced 130 severe exacerbations that required admission to the neurology ICU at a…
