Myasthenia Gravis

Melody A. Jordahl-Iafrato, MD, FAAFP Reviewed 06/2019

BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Primary disorder of neuromuscular transmission characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness:

Ocular myasthenia gravis (MG) (15%): weakness limited to eyelids and extraocular muscles
G...

DIAGNOSIS

Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Clinical Classification (2)[C]:

Class I: any eye muscle weakness, possible ptosis, no other evidence of muscle weakness elsewhere
Class II: eye muscle ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Treatment based on age, gender, and disease severity and progression
Three basic approaches: symptomatic, immunosuppressive, and supportive. Few should receive a single therap...

ONGOING CARE

PATIENT EDUCATION

Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA): http://www.myasthenia.org/

PROGNOSIS

Overall good but highly variable
Myasthenic crisis associated with substantial morbidit...

REFERENCES

Berrih-Aknin S, Frenkian-Cuvelier M, Eymard B. Diagnostic and clinical classification of autoimmune myasthenia gravis. J Autoimmun. 2014;48–49:143–148. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]

...

ADDITIONAL READING

Angelini C. Diagnosis and management of autoimmune myasthenia gravis. Clin Drug Investig. 2011;31(1):1–14. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]
Meriggioli MN. Myasthenia gravis: immu...

CODES

ICD10

G70.00 Myasthenia gravis without (acute) exacerbation
G70.01 Myasthenia gravis with (acute) exacerbation
P94.0 Transient neonatal myasthenia gravis

ICD9

358.00 Myasthenia gravis without (acute)...

CLINICAL PEARLS

An autoimmune disease, marked by abnormal fatigability and weakness of selected muscles, which is relieved by rest
Anticholinesterase medication and a thymectomy lessen symptom severity...

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