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Late‐onset myasthenia gravis: A review when incidence in older adults keeps increasing
Author(s) -
Alkhawajah Nuha M.,
Oger Joel
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.23964
Subject(s) - myasthenia gravis , thymectomy , medicine , incidence (geometry) , weakness , pediatrics , age of onset , surgery , disease , physics , optics
We define late‐onset myasthenia gravis (LOMG) when symptoms appear at ≥65 years of age. There has been a continuous increase in the incidence of LOMG with a clear male predominance. Commonly, patients present with focal (ocular or bulbar) weakness. A high index of suspicion required to achieve early diagnosis and to improve prognosis. Management options include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, steroids, and immunosuppressants. The most controversial issue in treatment is thymectomy, because not enough data are available. Successful treatment is associated with improved survival, and death is often secondary to comorbidities. Muscle Nerve 48:705–710, 2013