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Treatment of myasthenia gravis with methylprednisolone pulse: a double blind study
Author(s) -
Lindberg C.,
Andersen O.,
Lefvert A. K.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1998.tb05968.x
Subject(s) - myasthenia gravis , placebo , medicine , anesthesia , methylprednisolone , pulse (music) , placebo group , alternative medicine , pathology , detector , electrical engineering , engineering
Objectives – To evaluate the efficacy and safety of one single intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) pulse therapy in myasthenia gravis. Material and methods – We performed a double blind placebo controlled study (2+2 g IVMP vs placebo) in patients with moderate MG. Results – A mean increase in muscle function of 27 points was found in the treatment group after one IVMP pulse as compared with a 0.7 point increase in the placebo group ( P <0.01). In the IVMP group 8 of 10 patients showed a positive treatment response. The mean duration of improvement after IVMP was 8 weeks (range 4‐14 weeks). No severe side effects were found. Acetylcholine receptor antibody concentrations were unchanged in spite of the positive treatment response. Conclusions – We conclude that a single IVMP treatment is efficacious and safe in the treatment of moderate MG.