Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease, characterized by producing variable degrees of muscle weakness and fatigue.
It is estimated that in Spain some 15,000 people suffer from this neurological disease.
Until recently myasthenia was considered a rare disease.
But experts point out that in Europe, in recent years we have observed a growing trend in the number of diagnosed cases, especially at the expense of a higher incidence in people over 50 years of age. And that makes it an increasingly common disease.
In fact, in our country about 700 new cases of this disease are diagnosed each year. And of these new cases, 60% correspond to people between 60 and 65 years of age.
But myasthenia can affect people of all ages. In the case of women, the disease usually appears very early, between 20 and 40 years of age, or at a more advanced age between 60 and 80.
In men, on the other hand, it is more common for it to do so from the sixth decade of life.
On the International Day of Myasthenia Gravis we asked an expert about the symptoms and treatments of this disease that in 10-15% of cases begins in childhood and youth.
And although in the past it generated high morbidity and mortality, thanks to the available treatments, many patients can control their disease and its symptoms.
Symptoms of myasthenia gravis
The most common symptoms are:
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Weakness and fatigue of the muscles.
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The drooping eyelids.
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Double vision or
The peculiarity of this pathology, as explained by the Dr. Alejandro Horga Hernandez, Coordinator of the . is the next:
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“The muscle weakness and fatigue caused by this disease usually increases during times of activity and decreases with rest. In addition, the most common thing is that, at least initially, the first symptoms appear in a single muscle group.”
eyelid ptosis
It is very common for the first sign of this disease to be registered in the eyes, producing palpebral ptosis or drooping eyelids.
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“In 50-70% of cases it usually debuts in the ocular muscles, causing drooping eyelids or double vision, but it can also affect other muscles of the face or neck. And over time, it can also affect the muscles of the extremities or the respiratory muscles. And when the disease produces severe weakness in the respiratory muscles, it is when the vital prognosis of patients is most endangered”, says Dr. Horga.
How does the disease evolve?
During the course of the disease, it is common for patients to experience exacerbations of symptoms. And that may simply be a spontaneous issue or due to some triggering factor.
Among these factors, SEN experts highlight:
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infections.
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periods of more stress.
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In the case of women, the menstrual cycle can increase the symptoms.
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Certain drugs.
“The long-term natural course of myasthenia gravis is highly variable and despite the fact that most patients develop progression of clinical symptoms during the initial two to three years, thanks to available treatments, acceptable control of myasthenia is usually achieved. long-term disease. What means that currently there are many people who manage to pause their progression or even who are practically asymptomatic. However, this still does not happen in all cases”, explains Dr. Alejandro Horga.
8.5% of patients do not respond to treatments
But some patients diagnosed with myasthenia gravis are unable to control the symptoms of the disease.
“In those patients who suffer from refractory myasthenia gravis, also called drug-resistant, despite the treatments they will not be able to achieve improvement and will suffer frequent relapses and important functional repercussions. For this reason, it is essential that research continues in the development of new treatments”.
According to a study that collects data from 15 Spanish hospitals included in the (NMD-ES), 8.5% of Spanish patients with myasthenia gravis are drug resistant.
This resistance to treatment is greater in the case of women and younger patients.
The SEN insists on remembering that the greatest diagnostic delays of myasthenia gravis that occur in Spain occur in cases of early or late onset, which is why it calls for not underestimating the relatively low incidence of this disease in certain age groups. , or attribute the first symptoms to aging or other ailments.