Clinical characteristics of patients with myasthenia gravis accompanied by psychiatric disorders

Abstract

Background Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) often suffer from psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety disorder and depression. These psychiatric disorders may affect the treatment of MG. Aim This study aimed to closely examine psychiatric disorders in MG patients and identify influential factors. Methods We retrospectively surveyed 103 MG patients regarding clinical characteristics, and development and exacerbation of psychiatric disorders. In addition, we compared comorbid psychiatric disorders in patients with myositis, which is also treated with steroids, and patients with MG. Results Of the 103 MG patients, 24 had psychiatric disorders. This included 10 patients with depression, six with anxiety disorder, three with paranoia, two with delirium, one with somatoform disorder, one with schizophrenia, and one with personality disorder. We found that psychiatric disorders were associated with disease state of MG in 12 of the 24 patients. Based on our analysis, psychiatric symptoms were not associated with oral steroid doses. Furthermore, in patients with myositis, which is treated with steroids for a long period of time similar to MG, the incidence of comorbid psychiatric disorders tended to be lower. Conclusion These results suggest that psychiatric disorders in patients with MG are associated with the disease state of MG rather than oral steroid doses. The development or exacerbation of psychiatric disorders may interfere with the treatment of MG; therefore, attention should be paid to the onset of psychiatric disorders, which should be treated appropriately as soon as possible.

Depression and anxiety among Filipino myasthenia gravis patients seen in a public tertiary hospital in Metro Manila

“…Furthermore, they have found that psychiatric disorders were less frequent in patients with concurrent myositis who were treated with chronic oral steroids. (31) Our study, likewise failed to demonstrate this association. Thymectomy, on the other hand, has been regarded as one of the standards of treatment in thymomatous and nonthymomatous anti-AChR positive MG, to reduce medication requirement and disease severity overtime.…”

Prevalence of depression and anxiety among myasthenia gravis (MG) patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Disabilities resulting from MG often affect patients’ quality of life and interfere with their daily routine and activity (Vitturi et al., 2021 ). Additionally, Instability of MG symptoms, prolonged illness, and treatment with steroids can cause psychiatric symptoms in MG patients (Yamamoto et al., 2019 ). Mood disorders are very common among patients with neurological conditions and MG patients are no exception.…”

“…It is predicted that MG affects 36,000 to 60,000 patients in the United States and more than 700,000 people worldwide annually. Age and sex are important factors in the incidence and prevalence of MG (Yamamoto et al., 2019 ). In MG, the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles is disrupted.…”