Oral function in patients with myasthenia gravis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Oral Health
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disorder causing muscle weakness and fatigue.
• Mastication involves complex muscle coordination and can be affected by neuromuscular conditions.
• Understanding chewing patterns in MG is crucial for managing oral health impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare functional chewing patterns and masticatory complaints in patients with generalized Myasthenia Gravis (MG) versus healthy controls.
• To investigate potential differences in bite force, muscle activity, and jaw movement during mastication.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 12 MG patients and 9 healthy controls.
• Assessment included oral examinations, questionnaires, static maximum bite force measurement, electromyography (EMG) of masticatory muscles, and jaw movement tracking during a gum chewing test.

Main Results:

• MG patients reported significantly more oral health complaints (OHIP score 22.6 vs 7.5, P < 0.01).
• Peak bite force was lower in MG patients (18.8 kgf vs 29.5 kgf, P = 0.04).
• No significant differences were found in masticatory muscle fatigability (chewing cycles, P = 0.10).

Conclusions:

• Patients with MG exhibit greater oral complaints and reduced bite force compared to controls.
• Functional chewing patterns and muscle fatigability during a chewing task did not significantly differ between groups.
• Future research should integrate peak force measurements into functional tests and address oral health concerns in MG patients.