Fast Facts: Recognizing Refractory Myasthenia Gravis (ePub)

An in-depth look at a rare disease Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction, characterized by muscle fatigability. Patients often initially present with ocular symptoms, but in most cases the disease spreads beyond the eye muscles to more generalized involvement of bulbar, facial, neck, proximal limb and respiratory muscles. With adequate treatment, most patients with MG are able to live productive lives with few or no symptoms, but a distinct subset of patients do not respond to conventional treatment. With new treatment options on the horizon, it is important that these patients are identified. 'Fast Facts: Recognizing Refractory Myasthenia Gravis' takes an in-depth look at: . the immune-mediated nature of MG . classification of MG by disease type and severity, and antibody status . clinical presentation and diagnostic work-up . conventional management options . how patients with treatment-refractory MG present . the assessment tools that can be used to identify non-responders. This informative resource will be of value to neurologists, neurology trainees and ophthalmologists caring for patients with this rare disease, as well as patients with MG who wish to have a deeper dialog with their doctor or patient group. Contents: . Definition and epidemiology . Pathophysiology and classification . Diagnosis and management: an overview . Assessment of disease severity and treatment response