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- Title
Update on myasthenia gravis.
- Authors
Thanvi, B. R.; Lo, T. C. N.
- Abstract
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder caused by autoantibodies against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor on the postsynaptic membrane at the neuromuscular junction and characterised by weakness and fatigability of the voluntary muscles. It has a bimodal peak of incidence with first peak in the third decade and the second peak in the sixth decade. It is probably underdiagnosed in the very old population. Our understanding of the pathogenesis, immunology, and molecular biology of myasthenia gravis has greatly improved in last three decades. It is almost always possible to establish the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis with the current tests. The modern treatment is highly successful and the mortality of treated myasthenia gravis is practically zero. However, there are still important gaps in our knowledge of the origin of myasthenia gravis, the factors that contribute to chronic disease, and the way to cure the disease. In this article the current knowledge of the various aspects of myasthenia gravis are outlined.
- Subjects
MYASTHENIA gravis; AUTOIMMUNE diseases; AUTOANTIBODIES; ACETYLCHOLINE; MUSCLES; IMMUNOLOGY
- Publication
Postgraduate Medical Journal, 2004, Vol 80, Issue 950, p690
- ISSN
0032-5473
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1136/pgmj.2004.018903