MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: A CLINICAL STUDY OF ONE-HUNDRED PATIENTS

Abstract

One hundred myasthenic patients were prospectively studied The ratio ojfemale to male was approximatelv 1.12. Disease onset was most common in the third decade. The incidence of disease onset after age SO was significantly higher ill men. The 11l0,'i! common presenting symptoms were ocular, seen in 76% ojpatients. III several cases, disease presentations were atypical, with symptoms such as weakness of chill or jaw, Of dysphonia. 1/1 31%of cases, the symptoms remained confined to ocular problems for two years Of more. Accompanying diseuse states were present in 5% of patients. Twenty-two percent had a myasthenic crisis, which was more common in women. Thirty-three patients underwent thymectomy. The most common thymus histopathology was hyperplasia (75.7%). Thymoma was observed ill six cases (18.1 %). Four patients died during the study period .