Progression from ocular to generalized myasthenia gravis in adults

VernacularTitle:成人重症肌无力由眼外肌向全身型的演化
Author: Yuzhou GUAN ; Liying CUI ; Mingsheng LIU ; Han WANG ; Junbao ZHANG ; Yanfeng LI
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Myasthenia gravis; Oculomotor muscles; Glucocorticoids
From: Chinese Journal of Neurology 2012;(12):866-868
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective To investigate the time and rate of generalization developed from ocular symptoms in adults to generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG).Methods The data from 456 adult patients who started on ocular symptoms during Jan 2005 to Jan 2012 were retrospectively studied,with a follow-up period of 3 months to 17 years.The data included transfer time,Osserman type,difference between steroids group and no-steroids group.Results (1) During the follow-up period,197 (43.2％) patients developed to generalized myasthenia gravis,58.4％ (115/197)in one year after onset of ocular symptoms,74.1％ (146/197) in 2 years and 80.7％ (159/197) in 3 years.86.8％ (171/197) developed to Osserman Ⅱ a or Ⅱ b.(2) Of 233 patients untreated with steroids,134 (57.5％) developed to GMG,while 63 (28.3％) of 223 patients who were treated with steroids developed to GMG (x2 =38.57,P ＜ 0.01).There were no difference between two groups in transfer time and Osserman type.Conclusion MG initiated from ocular syndromes in adults easily develops to GMG in 2 years.Patients treated with steroids have low chance of generalization.