Epidemiology of Myasthenia Gravis in Slovakia in the Years 1977–2015

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of the study was to evaluate changes of epidemiological parameters in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) in Slovakia during the period 1977–2015. Methods: Data from medical records of MG patients registered in Slovakia were analyzed. Epidemiological rates (incidence, prevalence, mortality) were assessed for several periods to identify changes and drifts over the period of study. Results: Out of 2,074 patients, 892 were males (43.0%) and 1,193 were females (57.0%). The thymoma associated MG (TAMG) was diagnosed in 123 patients (5.9%). The mean age at onset shifted from 35.8 years in 1977–1989 to 60.0 years in ­2010–2015. The crude incidence increased from 0.36/100,000 in 1977–1989 to 1.74/100,000 in 2010–2015. The average annual incidence of TAMG was 0.05/100,000. Maximum increase of MG incidence was registered among the elderly (≥50 years), particularly in the group of patients in the age range 70–79 years (0.34/100,000 in 1977–1989→7.10/100,000 in 2010–2015) and 80–89 years (0.00/100,000 in 1977–1989→5.31/100,000 in 2010–2015). The crude MG prevalence on December 31, 2015 was 24.75/100,000. The average MG mortality was 0.27/100,000. Conclusion: The age at onset and incidence increased significantly over the study period due to marked increase of MG incidence in elderly, particularly over 70 years. Possible reasons for this trend are discussed.

Myasthenia Gravis in Poland: National Healthcare Database Epidemiological Study

“…Similar to the previous studies [9, 10, 12, 16, 19-23], we have observed an increasing incidence of symptomatic MG in LOMG. Carr et al [24] in a systematic review of population-based epidemiological studies in MG in the period 1950–2007 reported 3% increase of IR per year with significant increase after inputting AChRAb assays, with IR within 0.17–2.13/100,000.…”

Plasmapheresis in Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis

“…Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a relatively rare disease, affecting about 140 people per million [1,2]; however, its frequency has been increasing in the recent years, especially in the elderly population with mortality rate of 0.27/100,000 people, and in intensive care units, mortality of such patients reaches 5.3% [3,4]. However, MG also affects children, manifesting in three forms: transient neonatal myasthenia, congenital myasthenic syndrome, and juvenile MG [5].…”

Incidence of AChR Ab‐positive myasthenia gravis in Israel: A population‐based study

“…Two main observations emerge from these findings: The incidence of late‐onset AChR Ab‐positive MG significantly increased during the past decade and is responsible in large part for the overall increase in incidence in our study. This increased incidence of MG in the elderly has also been observed in other geographical areas during the past two decades 10,15‐20,23‐24,29,35‐38 The incidence ratio of AChR Ab‐positive MG between male and female patients (M:F) has also changed from the first to the second decade.…”

“…Furthermore, the occurrence of MG is influenced by sex and age: Women are affected nearly three times more than men during early adulthood (<40 years), whereas incidence is roughly equal after this age 13,14 . Also, in the last decades, MG incidence in the elderly has increased, probably due to increased awareness and increased longevity 10,15‐24 …”