Gender features of clinical manifestations and quality of life indicators in generalized myasthenia

Objective . To study the influence of clinical indicators of myasthenia gravis severity to the quality of life of men and women with generalized myasthenia gravis. Materials and methods . The study included 41 patients aged 60.4±16.4 years with generalized myasthenia gravis: 31 (76 %) women and 10 (24 %) men. Clinical manifestations of myasthenia gravis were assessed with quantitative myasthenia gravis score, myasthenia gravis-specific activities of daily living scale and short form of specialized quality of life questionnaire. Forced vital respiratory capacity was measured in all patients with subsequent additional data calculation. Results . We revealed significant improvement of examined data during hospitalization in both males and females, but in females, significant improvement was established in all quantitative myasthenia gravis score subscales. In men worse affection of swallowing muscles and severe pain phenomena were revealed. Correlations of physical functioning parameter with total quantitative myasthenia gravis score and with score characterizing the strength of limb muscles were revealed in studying group. Conclusion . Clinical manifestations and course of myasthenia gravis have the peculiarities n men and women. Quality of life disorder in studying patients correlated with severity of clinical manifestations, mainly with limb weakness.