Abstract Details

Title Comparison of clinical and electrophysiological characteristics in Myasthenia Gravis patients with favorable and unfavorable outcomes

Topic Neuromuscular and Clinical Neurophysiology (EMG)

Presentation(s) P6 - Poster Session 6 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 11-003

Background According to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Post Intervention Status (MGFA-PIS) scale, patients with complete remission, pharmacological remission, and minimal manifestations are considered to have a favorable outcome. Patients with a favorable outcome who evolved with a worsening clinical condition were classified as having an exacerbation.

Objective To compare clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of MG patients with favorable and unfavorable outcomes after treatment.

Design/Methods Patients were followed every three months, and clinical characteristics, treatment instituted dosage of antibodies against acetylcholine receptor, repetitive stimulation (decrement), single-fiber electromyography (jitter) were evaluated. Patients were classified according to the MGFA-PIS Scale after 6, 12, 24, 48, 60, and 120 months after starting treatment. The time (months) for patients to have the nadir (improvement) since the start of treatment was measured and the time in months for exacerbation.

Results 78 patients were followed for an average of 70 months (6 to 228). Sixty-nine patients (88.5%) had a favorable outcome, and 9 (11.5%) had an unfavorable outcome. Among patients with a favorable outcome, one case achieved complete remission, three had pharmacological remission, and 56 met the criteria for minimal manifestations. Fourteen (17.9%) had exacerbations. Improvement was achieved, on average, after 22.4 months of treatment initiation. No significant differences were observed between the groups with favorable and unfavorable outcomes between clinical, serological, and electrophysiological characteristics.

Conclusions The goal of treating patients with MG is to achieve at least the gradation of minimal manifestations in the MGFA-PIS scale. 88.5% had a favorable outcome, and 5% had remission of symptoms. No significant differences were observed between groups with favorable and unfavorable outcomes.

Authors/Disclosures
Gabriel P. Paiva, MD (FAMERP) PRESENTER	Dr. Paiva has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file