Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Tacrolimus in Myasthenia Gravis
10.3349/ymj.2019.60.7.633
- Author:
Yool hee KIM
1
;
Ha Young SHIN
;
Seung Min KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Myasthenia gravis;
tacrolimus;
steroid
- MeSH:
Americas;
Classification;
Humans;
Immunotherapy;
Myasthenia Gravis;
Prednisolone;
Retrospective Studies;
Tacrolimus;
Weights and Measures
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2019;60(7):633-639
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a lifelong autoimmune disorder that affects neuromuscular transmission. The long-term treatment plan should include immunotherapy. We investigated the long-term safety and efficacy of tacrolimus for the treatment of MG in real-world clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 160 MG patients treated with tacrolimus from 2005 to 2015. Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) clinical classification, MGFA post-intervention status, myasthenic functional score, and dose of oral prednisolone were investigated. RESULTS: Adverse events occurred in 68 patients (42.5%), most of which were minor and well-managed. Clinical severity scales improved after administration of tacrolimus, compared to the baseline. Compared to 6 months before administration of tacrolimus, prednisolone dose significantly decreased at 12 months after treatment (2.85±0.92 mg/day, p=0.002), 18 months after treatment (3.36±0.99 mg/day, p=0.001), and 24 months after treatment (3.71±0.93 mg/day, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Tacrolimus may be effective in reducing the severity of MG and may permit a reduction in the steroid dose prescribed to the patients. Adverse events due to tacrolimus treatment were not serious.
