Subgroup Classification and Therapeutic Guidance for Myasthenia Gravis.
- Author:
Yun Jin LEE
1
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Children's Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea. jinnyeye@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Myasthenia gravis;
Child;
Adult;
Therapy;
Thymectomy
- MeSH:
Acetylcholine;
Adrenal Cortex Hormones;
Adult;
Antibodies;
Autoantibodies;
Autoimmune Diseases;
Child;
Classification*;
Fatigue;
Humans;
Lipoproteins;
Muscle Weakness;
Muscle, Skeletal;
Muscles;
Myasthenia Gravis*;
Neuromuscular Blockade;
Pathology;
Phosphotransferases;
Prognosis;
Pyridostigmine Bromide;
Thymectomy
- From:
Journal of the Korean Child Neurology Society
2017;25(1):1-8
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disease of neuromuscular blockade, characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue, and is associated with the production of autoantibodies against the skeletal muscle acetylcholine receptor, muscle-specific kinase (MuSK), low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4), and other muscle endplate proteins. In addition, MG may be classified according the location of the affected muscles (ocular vs. generalized), patient age at symptom onset, and thymic pathology. Subgroup classification based on serum antibodies and clinical features include early-onset, late-onset, thymoma-associated, MuSK and LRP4 antibody-negative, and ocular forms of MG, and can help with therapeutic decisions and prognosis. Pyridostigmine is the chosen symptomatic treatment. For patients who do not adequately respond to symptomatic therapy, corticosteroids, other immunomodulating agents, and thymectomy are the first-line immunosuppressive treatments. The treatment of MG is highly individualized and depends on the age of the patient, the type and severity of the disease, and the pace of progression.
