Plasmapheresis in myasthenia gravis. A comparative study of daily versus alternately daily schedule.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of different protocols of plasmapheresis in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We treated 30 MG patients with plasmapheresis on either a daily or alternately daily schedule for 5 consecutive sessions. Acetylcholine receptor antibody (AchRAb), serum proteins including albumin, globulin, immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, and IgM, and MG score were measured before and after the course of plasmapheresis in each group of patients.

RESULTS:

The mean percent reductions of serum proteins including IgA (81.5% vs 69.7%), IgM (95.6% vs 87.1%), and globulin (63.2% vs 50.1%) were significantly higher in the daily group. There were no significant differences in AchRAb and IgG levels after treatment between these 2 groups. However, the reduction of MG score was greater in the daily group. All the patients tolerated plasmapheresis well except for 2.7% of them who experienced hypotension.

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest that daily plasmapheresis may be more effective in the treatment of patients with advanced MG.

• Authors: J H Yeh, H C Chiu
• Journal: Acta neurologica Scandinavica (Acta Neurol Scand) Vol. 99 Issue 3 Pg. 147-51 (Mar 1999) ISSN: 0001-6314 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 10100957 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Appointments and Schedules
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Clinical Protocols (standards)
• Female
• Filtration (methods)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Myasthenia Gravis (therapy)
• Plasmapheresis (methods)
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome