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Myasthenia gravis
Background
Overview
Definition
MG is an autoimmune disorder characterized by fatigable muscle weakness which results from antibodies targeting the postsynaptic neuromuscular membrane.
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Pathophysiology
MG is caused by autoantibodies directed mainly against AChRs, muscle-specific kinase, and lipoprotein receptor-related peptide.
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Epidemiology
The incidence and prevalence rate of MG is estimated at 0.53 cases per 100,000 person-years and 7.8 persons per 100,000 population, respectively.
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Disease course
Antibodies belonging to IgG1 and IgG3 subclass direct antibodies mainly against AChRs, which disrupt neuromuscular transmission causing ocular, oropharyngeal, limb, axial, and respiratory muscle weakness. Thymoma and myasthenia crisis may even cause death.
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Prognosis and risk of recurrence
Mortality associated with MG is about 5-14%.
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Guidelines
Key sources
The following summarized guidelines for the evaluation and management of myasthenia gravis are prepared by our editorial team based on guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP 2023), the American Academy of Neurology (AAN 2020,2011), the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA 2016), the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM 2016), the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO ...
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