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Subject Area

Radiology and Imaging Sciences

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective To measure the clinical responses, after plasmapheresis, in patients with moderate to severe degree of myasthenia gravis (MG), then correlate these responses with the initial clinical picture, acetylcholine receptor antibodies (AChR-Ab) level, and thymus gland changes. Background Plasmapheresis is used for acute management of MG exacerbations and when rapid clinical responses are needed. It is effective in reducing the quantitative myasthenia gravis (QMG) score for disease severity in patients with moderate to severe MG. However, little is known about factors that predict response to plasmapheresis, and knowing these clinical factors may help in giving information to clinicians about patient outcome after plasmapheresis. Patients and methods A total of 81 patients participated in this study. They had full clinical examination primarily on the first date of plasmapheresis and after 1 month (14 days after finishing plasmapheresis). Disease severity was determined according to QMG scale. Results The scores of QMG scales had significantly improved two weeks after plasmapheresis. The improvement in QMG scores had a good correlation with initial severity, presence of AChR-Ab and their levels, thymectomy, and thymus gland pathology. Conclusion Initial severity, presence of AChR-Ab, and thymectomy are good predictors of improvement after plasmapheresis in patients with MG.

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