QUALITY OF SLEEP IN PATIENTS WITH MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic neuromuscular disease that leads to progressive weakness, fatigue of the skeletal muscles, and is often associated with psychological changes, especially with poorer quality of sleep. To evaluate the quality of sleep in patients suffering from MG in relation to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the disease. A total of 70 adult patients have been classified according to Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America classification and divided into groups with regard to the age of onset, gender, employment status and type of work, presence or absence of pathological changes on thymus and presence or absence of anti-nAchr antibodies. Severity of clinical manifestations was evaluated by using quantitative MG scores and MG composite scores. Pittsburgh questionnaire was used to assess the subjective quality of sleep. In addition, Hamilton's anxiety and depression scales and questionnaires for quality of life assessment were also implemented. The results of our research show a correlation between poor quality of sleep and prolonged duration of the disease, pathological changes on thymus, positive anti-nAchr antibodies. The correlation between poor quality of sleep with more severe clinical presentation, poor quality of life, anxiety and depression was confirmed. Quality of sleep is impaired in patients with MG, especially in the case of severe clinical manifestations and prolonged duration of the disease. Considering the lack of literature on the subject, a better understanding of the prevalence and severity of sleep disorders in MG requires further research.