Myasthenia Gravis Disease Summary

Overview

Myasthenia gravis is not a common neurological disorder that is associated with muscle weakness. The definition of myasthenia gravis and its prevalence can be found in the Introduction and Epidemiology sections.

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder. The Pathophysiology section discusses the autoimmune process involved in the development of myasthenia gravis in individuals.

The differences between the 2 autoimmune myasthenia gravis forms and other forms of myasthenia gravis are identified and discussed in the Classification section. 

History and Physical Examination

Patients with myasthenia gravis would present with weakness and fatigability of voluntary muscles. Description of this weakness and discussion of other presenting symptoms and associated diseases are in the Clinical Presentation section.

Factors that can exacerbate symptoms of myasthenia gravis such as infection, comorbidities, etc, and its 3 stages are in the History section.

Physical findings that can be seen during Physical Examination of patients with myasthenia gravis are in this section.

Diagnosis

Most patients with generalized myasthenia gravis are positive for AChR antibodies. Tests that may be conducted to diagnose myasthenia gravis are enumerated in the Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries and Imaging sections.

The Differential Diagnosis section enumerated the diseases that should be ruled out to diagnose myasthenia gravis.

Management

Treatment goals and other factors to be considered in managing patients with myasthenia gravis is in the Principles of Therapy section.

Symptomatic therapy is the main focus of the treatment for myasthenia gravis. In addition to symptomatic therapy, disease-modifying immunotherapy should also be provided. Drugs for symptomatic therapy and disease-modifying therapy in managing patients with myasthenia gravis are in discussed in the Pharmacological therapy. Other drug therapies that can be used in treatment of patients with myasthenia gravis are also in this section.

Lifestyle modification, psychological intervention, plasmapheresis and immunoadsorption may also be considered for managing patients with myasthenia gravis. These are discussed in detail in the Nonpharmacological section.

Factors to consider in undergoing thymectomy and other surgical options for managing severe myasthenia gravis are enumerated and discussed in the section of Surgery.