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Myasthenia Gravis and COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Amirhossein Nafari1, Seyedpouzhia Shojaei2, Reza Jalili Khoshnood3
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Introduction:
Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disease affecting the neuromuscular junction, exhibits varying rates of COVID-19 infection across different studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to estimate the pooled prevalence of COVID-19 infection in individuals with MG.
Methods:
We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and gray literature, including references to the research published before October 2021. The total number of participants, the first author, the publication year, the country of origin, the number of MG patients, their symptoms, hospitalization rates, and deaths were all extracted as study data.
Results:
Our literature search yielded 253 articles, of which 75 remained after removing duplicates. Finally, 18 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 infection in MG cases was found to be 2% (95% CI, 1%, 3%; I2=85%, P<0.001). Additionally, the pooled prevalence of hospitalization among those with COVID-19 infection was 43% (95% CI, 26%, 60%; I2=97.6%; P<0.001), and the pooled prevalence of MG exacerbation was 33% (95% CI, 20%, 46%; I2=92.6%; P<0.001).
Conclusion:
In summary, this systematic review and meta-analysis reveal that the pooled prevalence of COVID-19 infection in individuals with MG is 2%.
Insights
The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 infection in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients is 2%. This systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed 18 studies to determine COVID-19 infection rates in individuals with MG.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Autoimmune Disorders
Background:
- Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder.
- COVID-19 infection rates in MG patients vary across studies.
- Understanding COVID-19 prevalence in MG is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the pooled prevalence of COVID-19 infection in individuals with myasthenia gravis.
- To synthesize existing research on COVID-19 in MG patients.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and gray literature up to October 2021.
- Inclusion of 18 articles after removing duplicates from an initial 253.
- Data extraction included participant numbers, MG patient counts, symptoms, hospitalization, and mortality.
Main Results:
- The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 infection among MG patients was 2% (95% CI, 1%-3%).
- Hospitalization prevalence among infected MG patients was 43% (95% CI, 26%-60%).
- MG exacerbation prevalence was 33% (95% CI, 20%-46%).
Conclusions:
- The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 infection in individuals with myasthenia gravis is 2%.
- A significant proportion of MG patients with COVID-19 experienced hospitalization and disease exacerbation.
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