The incidence rate of Myasthenia Gravis coexisting with other autoimmune diseases is
approximately 8.7 – 25%, but it is rarely associated with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)
with only less than 1% of women affected. This is a case of premature ovarian insufficiency in
a 29 year old woman diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, who presented with lower extremity
weakness and experienced two episodes of myasthenic crisis requiring thymectomy. Three years
after, she noted oligomenorrhea that quickly progressed to amenorrhea. Extensive immunologic
and genetic investigative studies showed no identifiable cause for the POI, except for its
close temporal relationship with the occurrence of Myasthenia Gravis. The patient has been
responsive to hormone replacement and immunomodulation therapy, and has not developed
any further episodes of myasthenic crisis. A review of seven other reported cases describing
a similar condition was also included in the discussion.
Myasthenia Gravis