[Myasthenia gravis. Clinical and therapeutic evaluation of 55 cases].

Abstract

It is reported the study of 55 myasthenia gravis cases, with a review of the symptoms and signals, comparing initial symptoms ant those found at the time of the first evaluation. The mean age of the patients was 31.05 +/- 18.46 and the mean time of follow-up 5.88 +/- 5.47 years. Also the results of the diagnostic tests is reported, as well as the results of the treatment. The patients were treated with anticholinesterasics, corticosteroids, azathioprine, plasma-exchange and thymectomy. A statistical analysis with the chi-square test was unable to show a difference between the above procedures, regarding the definitive resolution of the disease. From the 55 cases, 9 (16.6%) had total remission, 41 (74.5%) remained with symptoms and need some kind of treatment, and 5 (9.09%) died (three patients with thymoma, one patient with congenital myasthenia gravis, severe kyphoscoliosis and pulmonary restriction, and one patient during the thymectomy procedure). It was found a relation between the signs of respiratory insufficiency, myasthenic crisis and thymoma only in the group of patients who died. A review about the diagnostic methods and treatment in the current days is made.

• Authors: L C Werneck, H A Teive
• Journal: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria (Arq Neuropsiquiatr) Vol. 45 Issue 4 Pg. 379-90 (Dec 1987) ISSN: 0004-282X [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Miastenia grave. Avaliação clínica e terapêutica de 55 casos.
• PMID: 3329506 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Myasthenia Gravis (diagnosis, therapy)
• Plasmapheresis
• Thymectomy