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Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

Name of disease:

Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

ICD-10 diagnosis code:

https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/G00-G99/G70-G73/G70-/G70.0https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/E00-E89/E70-E88/E88-/E88.40

Causes:

Pattern of inheritance:

MG is a rare disease with chronic weakness of the skeletal muscles all over the body. The exact cause of myashenia gravis remains unknown but it is likely to be a combination of certain genetic variations, autoimmune system, EBV infection, use of certain drugs, Defective gene products and presence of antibodies against acetylcholine all upset the normal transmission of nerve impulses resulting in muscle weakness. Genetic : depends on causal genes / related gene

Prevalence:

1/5,000。

Diagnosis:

Physical examination assesses muscles and eye function Electromyography assesses the activity of affected muscles and single muscle fiber. Blood tests investigate acetylcholine abnormal antibodies Edrophonium test to confirm the diagnosis. Tensilon Test：Injection of edrophonium chloride result in a sudden, temporary improvement in muscle strength in myashenia gravis.

Age of onset:

All ages, usually males before 50 and female before 40

Common signs and symptoms:

The main symptom is fatigue-prone muscle weakness, that is, the muscles are easy to smash and hardly exert strength, and there will be short-term improvement after rest. The symptoms often fluctuate within a day, and the symptoms Abnormality of the thymus Muscle inflammation Drooping eyelids Blurred or double vision Unstable or waddling walking pattern Weakness in the arms, hands, fingers, legs, and neck, may have difficulty raising arms or feet Reduced facial expression Difficulties in chewing food – the jaw muscles may feel tired while eating Swallowing difficulties Shortness of breath Impaired speech, nasal sound or slurred speech

Available treatments (medicinal and non-medicinal):

Treatment of myasthenia gravis includes: anti-Ach drugs, immunosuppressive agents (including glucocorticoids, cyclosporine A, azathioprine), Plasma exchange, Mestinon, an anticholinesterase drug, Glucocorticoid (Prednisone) is the main treatment. Immunosuppressive agents (azathioprine, cyclosporine A, Cyclophosphamide) Thymectomy Monooclonal antibodies and immunoabsorption for CD4

Disease management tips:

The daily function of patient may be seriously affected with difficulties in facial expression, chewing, swallowing, breathing and walking. Patient should pay attention to knowledge about myasthenia gravis Some drugs may make MG worse. Before taking any new drugs (including over-the-counter drugs), please consult your doctor for safety Drugs that cause the nerve-muscle transmission disorder effect on worsen muscle weakness: Tetracycline, aminoglycosides, Procaine, Propranolol, Chlorpromazine, and lithium. Most common complications Aspiration pneumonia Respiratory failure If an MG patient is infected with the flu, serious problems may occur. Therefore, it is particularly important to receive influenza vaccine regularly every year.

References:

GARD Orphanet http://doctor.get.com.tw/m/Journal/detail.aspx?no=403281

Other useful websites

More about the disease:https://www.hksnmd.org/%E9%87%8D%E7%97%87%E8%82%8C%E7%84%A1%E5%8A%9B%E7%97%87/

Patient groups: https://www.hksnmd.org/%E9%87%8D%E7%97%87%E8%82%8C%E7%84%A1%E5%8A%9B%E7%97%87/