Clinical characteristics of patients with myasthenia gravis accompanied by psychiatric disorders

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPatients with myasthenia gravis (MG) often suffer from psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety disorder and depression. These psychiatric disorders may affect the treatment of MG.AimThis study aimed to closely examine psychiatric disorders in MG patients and identify influential factors.MethodsWe retrospectively surveyed 103 MG patients regarding clinical characteristics, and development and exacerbation of psychiatric disorders. In addition, we compared comorbid psychiatric disorders in patients with myositis, which is also treated with steroids, and patients with MG.ResultsOf the 103 MG patients, 24 had psychiatric disorders. This included 10 patients with depression, six with anxiety disorder, three with paranoia, two with delirium, one with somatoform disorder, one with schizophrenia, and one with personality disorder. We found that psychiatric disorders were associated with disease state of MG in 12 of the 24 patients. Based on our analysis, psychiatric symptoms were not associated with oral steroid doses. Furthermore, in patients with myositis, which is treated with steroids for a long period of time similar to MG, the incidence of comorbid psychiatric disorders tended to be lower.ConclusionThese results suggest that psychiatric disorders in patients with MG are associated with the disease state of MG rather than oral steroid doses. The development or exacerbation of psychiatric disorders may interfere with the treatment of MG; therefore, attention should be paid to the onset of psychiatric disorders, which should be treated appropriately as soon as possible.