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Myasthenia gravis and elderly people
F Schon1, M Drayson, R A Thompson
1Department of Neurology, Atkinson Morley's Hospital, Copse Hill, Wimbledon, London SW20 0NE UK.
Insights
Myasthenia gravis incidence is higher than previously thought, with new cases more common in older adults. This suggests a need for increased awareness and diagnostic focus on elderly populations for this neuromuscular disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune disorder affecting neuromuscular junctions.
- Previous estimates of MG incidence may have underestimated its prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the current annual incidence of myasthenia gravis in a specific geographic area.
- To investigate the age distribution of newly diagnosed myasthenia gravis patients and acetylcholine receptor antibody assays.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a prospective study to ascertain new cases of myasthenia gravis in Croydon over seven years.
- Analyzed demographic data, focusing on age at diagnosis.
- Reviewed data on acetylcholine receptor antibody assay results and their age distribution.
Main Results:
- The annual incidence of myasthenia gravis in Croydon was found to be 9.1 per million population.
- A significant proportion of newly diagnosed patients (59%) were over 60 years old.
- Acetylcholine receptor antibody assays showed an increasing percentage of positive results in individuals aged 60 and above over time, with a peak incidence in the 70-80 age group.
Conclusions:
- Myasthenia gravis incidence is higher than previously reported.
- The disease disproportionately affects older adults, particularly those over 60.
- There is a notable increase in myasthenia gravis diagnoses among the elderly population.
Abstract:
Myasthenia gravis is probably commoner than previously suspected, the annual incidence being nearer 9-10/million than earlier figures of 2-4/million. The current study found an annual incidence in Croyden of 9.1 per million (95% confidence limits 5.7-13.8 per million). Of the 22 patients (59%) seen in Croyden with newly diagnosed myasthenia gravis during the past 7 years, 13 were aged over 60. In a separate study of the age distribution of positive acetylcholine receptor antibody assays, 51% were 60 years or above in 1991, and 64% in 1994. The peak age in both sexes was 70-80, and numbers were greatest in men aged 60-80.