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Gilhus NE, Andersen H, Andersen LK, Boldingh M, Laakso S, Leopoldsdottir MO, Madsen S, Piehl F, Popperud TH, Punga AR, Schirakow L, Vissing J. Generalized myasthenia gravis with acetylcholine receptor antibodies: A guidance for treatment. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16229. [PMID: 38321574 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) with antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor is a chronic disease causing muscle weakness. Access to novel treatments warrants authoritative treatment recommendations. The Nordic countries have similar, comprehensive health systems, mandatory health registers, and extensive MG research. METHODS MG experts and patient representatives from the five Nordic countries formed a working group to prepare treatment guidance for MG based on a systematic literature search and consensus meetings. RESULTS Pyridostigmine represents the first-line symptomatic treatment, while ambenonium and beta adrenergic agonists are second-line options. Early thymectomy should be undertaken if a thymoma, and in non-thymoma patients up to the age of 50-65 years if not obtaining remission on symptomatic treatment. Most patients need immunosuppressive drug treatment. Combining corticosteroids at the lowest possible dose with azathioprine is recommended, rituximab being an alternative first-line option. Mycophenolate, methotrexate, and tacrolimus represent second-line immunosuppression. Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin are used for myasthenic crises and acute exacerbations. Novel complement inhibitors and FcRn blockers are effective and fast-acting treatments with promising safety profiles. Their use depends on local availability, refunding policies, and cost-benefit analyses. Adapted physical training is recommended. Planning of pregnancies with optimal treatment, information, and awareness of neonatal MG is necessary. Social support and adaptation of work and daily life activities are recommended. CONCLUSIONS Successful treatment of MG rests on timely combination of different interventions. Due to spontaneous disease fluctuations, comorbidities, and changes in life conditions, regular long-term specialized follow-up is needed. Most patients do reasonably well but there is room for further improvement. Novel treatments are promising, though subject to restricted access due to costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Erik Gilhus
- Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Henning Andersen
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Linda Kahr Andersen
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marion Boldingh
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sini Laakso
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Sidsel Madsen
- The National Rehabilitation Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Fredrik Piehl
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Anna Rostedt Punga
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - John Vissing
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Leone MA, Helbok R, Bianchi E, Yasuda CL, Konti M, Ramankulov D, Lolich M, Lovrencic-Huzjan A, Kovács T, Armon C, Cotelli MS, Cavallieri F, Grosu O, Kiteva-Trenchevska G, Rodriguez-Leyva I, Boldingh M, Brola W, Maia LF, de Seabra MML, Davidescu EI, Popescu BO, Kopishinskaia S, Bassetti CLA, Moro E. Outcome predictors of post-COVID conditions in the European Academy of Neurology COVID-19 registry. J Neurol 2024:10.1007/s00415-024-12212-8. [PMID: 38436682 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12212-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Several neurological manifestations are part of the post-COVID condition. We aimed to: (1) evaluate the 6-month outcome in the cohort of patients with neurological manifestations during the COVID-19 acute phase and surviving the infection, and find outcome predictors; (2) define the prevalence and type of neurological symptoms persistent at six months after the infection. Data source was an international registry of patients with COVID-19 infection and neurological symptoms, signs or diagnoses established by the European Academy of Neurology. Functional status at six-month follow-up was measured with the modified Rankin scale (mRS), and defined as: "stable/improved" if the mRS at six months was equal as or lower than the baseline score; "worse" if it was higher than the baseline score. By October 30, 2022, 1,003 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients were followed up for a median of 6.5 months. Compared to their pre-morbid status, 522 patients (52%) were stable/improved, whereas 465 (46%) were worse (functional status missing for 16). Age, hospitalization, several pre-COVID-19 comorbidities, and COVID-19 general complications were predictors of a worse status. Amongst neurological manifestations, stroke carried the highest risk for worse outcome (OR 5.96), followed by hyperactive delirium (2.8), and peripheral neuropathies (2.37). On the other hand, hyposmia/hypogeusia (0.38), headache (0.40), myalgia (0.45), and COVID-19 vaccination (0.52) were predictors of a favourable prognosis. Persisting neurological symptoms or signs were reported by 316/1003 patients (31.5%), the commonest being fatigue (n = 133), and impaired memory or concentration (n = 103). Our study identified significant long-term prognostic predictors in patients with COVID-19 and neurological manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Angelo Leone
- Department of Neurosciences, Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Raimund Helbok
- Department of Neurology, Neurocritical Care Unit, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Elisa Bianchi
- Department of Neurosciences, Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Maria Konti
- European Academy of Neurology, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Tibor Kovács
- Department of Neurology, Semmelweis University Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Carmel Armon
- Tel Aviv University School of Medicine and Shamir (Assaf Harofeh), Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Francesco Cavallieri
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor and Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Oxana Grosu
- Diomid Gherman Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Chișinău, Moldova
| | - Gordana Kiteva-Trenchevska
- Medical Faculty, University Clinic for Neurology, University "Ss. Cyril and Methodius", Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Ildefonso Rodriguez-Leyva
- Medicine Faculty, Head Neurology Program, Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Moronnes Prieto", Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
| | - Marion Boldingh
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Waldemar Brola
- Department of Neurology, Specialist Hospital Konskie, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
| | - Luís F Maia
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Research & Innovation in Health (i3S), Porto, Portugal
| | - Mafalda Maria Laracho de Seabra
- Neurology Department, Hospital de São João, Porto, Portugal
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Unit of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Eugenia Irene Davidescu
- Neurology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ovidiu Popescu
- Neurology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | | | - Elena Moro
- Division of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire of Grenoble, Grenoble Alpes University, Grenoble Institute of Neuroscience, Grenoble, France
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Maniaol AH, Boldingh M, Brunborg C, Harbo HF, Tallaksen CME. Smoking and socio-economic status may affect myasthenia gravis. Eur J Neurol 2012; 20:453-460. [PMID: 22934661 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2012.03843.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The influence of environmental factors in myasthenia gravis (MG) is unknown. The aim of this cross-sectional population-based study was to investigate if smoking and socio-economic status (SES) were associated with MG in the Norwegian population. METHODS Subjects were 491 MG patients identified in Norway at the time of the study (point prevalence 12.7/100 000). A questionnaire covering smoking habits and markers of SES (education and occupation) was mailed to all patients. Population data were obtained from Statistics Norway. RESULTS A total of 375 (76.6%) patients completed the questionnaire (236 women, mean age 59 ± 18 years), of which 193 reported to be early onset MG (EOMG, onset ≤40 years, 155 women). Compared with the general population, current smoking was more prevalent amongst MG patients [risk ratio (RR) 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-1.9], most of whom had EOMG. Female MG patients had higher education compared with the general population (RR 4.5; 95% CI 3.2-6.2). Male MG patients were similar to the general population regarding both education and occupation, except for a subset of late onset MG who had shorter education (RR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1-3.2) and had worked in crafts and related trades. About half of working age MG patients received disability pension, a finding significantly related to low educational level and a more severe disease course (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION This is the first report indicating that smoking and SES may affect MG. Further studies investigating their role as potential risk factors are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Maniaol
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - M Boldingh
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - C Brunborg
- Unit of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - H F Harbo
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - C M E Tallaksen
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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