Neuromuscular junction disorders (NMJ) P-NJ001. Quality of life comparison between myasthenia gravis with plasma exchange and myasthenia gravis without plasma exchange

Abstract Background Immunomodulation, including IVIG and plasma exchange, is useful for a crisis or severe exacerbation. Plasma exchange may be slightly faster and more effective in a myasthenic crisis than IVIG. The aim of the current study was to determine the changes in the quality of life (QOL) after plasmapheresis and factors influencing these changes. Results This study was conducted on 98 MG patients diagnosed as moderate to severe myasthenia gravis (according to Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America classification), 81 patients received alternate day 5 sessions plasmapheresis (TPE group) and 17 patients were on medical treatment only (control group). All patients were subjected to full history, through clinical neurological evaluation and scored with quantitative myasthenia gravis (QMG) score for MG severity at start and after 1 m. Both groups completed the QOL questionnaire at baseline and after 1 month. The MG-QOL-15 scores were computed and we analyzed the change in the QOL scores from baseline to after plasmapheresis groups and compared it with the results for the control group. The scores in QOL scales had significantly decreased after plasmapheresis, and the improvement in QOL scores had a good correlation with the decrease in QMGS. The improvement in QOL and QMG was significantly correlated with younger age, female gender, shorter duration of the illness, presence of AchR antibodies, antibody titer, and thymus hyperplasia. Conclusion Plasmapheresis is effective in improving quality of life in myasthenia gravis patients and this improvement influenced by age, gender, duration of illness, presence of AchR antibodies and their titer, and the thymus pathology.

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The Relationship between Restless Legs Syndrome and Quality of Life in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis

European Neurology ◽

10.1159/000502002 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 81 (3-4) ◽

pp. 205-208

Author(s):

Monica F. Ataide ◽

Carolina da Cunha-Correia ◽

Katia C.L. Petribú

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Myasthenia Gravis ◽

Restless Legs Syndrome ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Restless Legs ◽

Study Population ◽

Clinical Conditions

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized for an uncomfortable sensation in legs and an irresistible desire to move them. This disorder has been more recently recognized in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and can interfere with the quality of life (QOL). Objectives: The aims of this study are to describe the prevalence of RLS and its severity and influence on the QOL in patients with MG. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from May to June 2016 in Recife, Brazil. A sample of 42 patients was interviewed using a sociodemographic questionnaire, MG QOL questionnaire-15 and The RLS Rating Scale. Results: RLS was present in 47.6% of patients and of these 40.5% met moderate to severe RLS criteria. Patients were 45 years on average (SD ± 14.4) and women represented 57.1% of the study population. Among patients with RSL, the quality-of-life scores were worse (p = 0.010) on average. There was no association of RLS with the duration of MG, use of immunosuppressant or clinical conditions that could mimic the occurrence of RLS. Conclusion: RLS is a prevalent condition in patients with MG, and may be severe enough to negatively impact QOL.

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Rituximab in generalized myasthenia gravis: Clinical, quality of life and cost–utility analysis

Porto Biomedical Journal ◽

10.1016/j.pbj.2017.02.002 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 81-85 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

João Peres ◽

Rita Martins ◽

José Delgado Alves ◽

Ana Valverde

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Myasthenia Gravis ◽

Cost Utility ◽

Cost Utility Analysis ◽

Utility Analysis ◽

Clinical Quality

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Translation and validation of the arabic version of the revised 15‐item myasthenia gravis quality‐of‐life questionnaire

Muscle & Nerve ◽

10.1002/mus.25948 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 57 (4) ◽

pp. 581-585 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mohammed H. Alanazy ◽

Ahmad R. Abuzinadah ◽

Taim Muayqil

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Myasthenia Gravis ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Arabic Version ◽

Quality Of Life Questionnaire ◽

Translation And Validation

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Zytux in Refractory Myasthenia Gravis: A Multicenter, Open-Labeled, Clinical Trial Study of Effectiveness and Safety of a Rituximab Biosimilar

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.682622 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Farzad Fatehi ◽

Kamyar Moradi ◽

Ali Asghar Okhovat ◽

Ghazaleh Shojatalab ◽

Behnaz Sedighi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Myasthenia Gravis ◽

Clinical Status ◽

Neuromuscular Disorder ◽

Clinical Trial Registration ◽

Prednisolone Dose ◽

Immune Mediated ◽

Post Infusion

Objectives: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an immune-mediated neuromuscular disorder responsive to immunomodulatory treatments. 10–20% of MGs are not responsive to conventional first-line therapies. Here, we sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of rituximab therapy in the treatment of patients with refractory MG.Methods: In a 48-week, multicenter, open-labeled, prospective cohort setting, 34 participants with refractory MG were assigned to receive infusions of Zytux, which is a rituximab biosimilar, according to a validated protocol. Clinical, functional, and quality of life (QoL) measurements were recorded at baseline, and seven further visits using the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA), Myasthenia Gravis Composite (MGC), Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living profile (MG-ADL), and Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life (MGQoL-15) scales. Besides, the post-infusion side effects were systematically assessed throughout the study.Results: The correlation analysis performed by generalized estimating equations analysis represented a significant reduction of MGC, MG-ADL, and MGQoL-15 scores across the trial period. The subgroup analysis based on the patients' clinical status indicated a significant effect for the interaction between time and MGFA subtypes on MG-ADL score, MGC score, and pyridostigmine prednisolone dose, reflecting that the worse clinical condition was associated with a better response to rituximab. Finally, no serious adverse event was documented.Conclusions: Rituximab therapy could improve clinical, functional, and QoL in patients with refractory MG in a safe setting. Further investigations with larger sample size and a more extended follow-up period are warranted to confirm this finding.Clinical Trial Registration: The study was registered by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) (Code No: IRCT20150303021315N18).

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