Bentolhoda Ziaadini; Narges Karimi; Akram Panahi; Ali Asghar Okhovat; Farzad Fatehi; Shahriar Nafissi
Abstract
Background: This retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of rituximab (RTX) for the management of myasthenia gravis (MG).Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 61 patients with refractory and non-refractory MG who received RTX. The Myasthenia ...
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Background: This retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of rituximab (RTX) for the management of myasthenia gravis (MG).Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 61 patients with refractory and non-refractory MG who received RTX. The Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) profile was used to assess MG symptoms and their effects on daily activities at the start of RTX and in the last follow-up. The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Post-Intervention Status (MGFA-PIS) scale has been used as an outcome measure after treatment with RTX in the 12th month and the last follow-up.Results: The mean age of the patients was 40.31 ± 13.53 years (range: 15-78 years). Of 61 patients, eight (13.1%) were double seronegative, 29 (47.5%) had anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR+) antibody, and 24 (39.3%) had anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibody (MuSK+). According to the mean rank table, the results of this study showed that the drug was more effective in improving the symptoms of MuSK+ patients compared to the other two groups (P = 0.006). The mean MG-ADL was 4.86 ± 1.83 before treatment and 1.51 ± 2.02 in the last follow-up visit. Paired t-test showed a significant association between MG-ADL before and after treatment in the last visit [t(55): 11.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.79-3.99, P = 0.001)].Conclusion: This retrospective study showed a considerable effect of RTX as induction therapy in patients with MG, especially those with MuSk+ MG.
Shahriar Faghani; Ali Asghar Okhovat; Narges Karimi; Mana Moassefi; Seyed Farzad Maroufi; Shahriar Nafissi; Farzad Fatehi
Abstract
Background: The 8-item myasthenia gravis activity of daily living (MG-ADL) questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating myasthenia gravis (MG)-associated disability. This study aims to assess its validity and reliability in the Iranian population.Methods: A total number of 58 patients ...
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Background: The 8-item myasthenia gravis activity of daily living (MG-ADL) questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating myasthenia gravis (MG)-associated disability. This study aims to assess its validity and reliability in the Iranian population.Methods: A total number of 58 patients with MG were qualified for the examination. All 58 patients completed the Persian translation of 15-item Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life (MG-QOL15) and MG-ADL questionnaires initially, and 30 filled out the MG-ADL questionnaire 2 to 4 weeks after the initial visit. Pearson correlation coefficient of questionnaires, internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha (α), and test-retest repeatability of the questionnaire were evaluated.Results: The Pearson correlation coefficient of Persian versions of MG-QOL and MG-ADL was 0.93 (P < 0.01). The Persian MG-ADL showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.89) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.99, P < 0.01).Conclusion: The Persian MG-ADL is a valid and reliable questionnaire for the determination of activities of daily life in Iranian patients with MG.
