Muscle Nerve. 2020 May 11. doi: 10.1002/mus.26918. [Epub ahead of print]
COVID-19 in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis.
Anand P1, Slama MCC2,3, Kaku M1, Ong C1, Cervantes-Arslanian AM1, Zhou L1, David WS2, Guidon AC2.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly become a global pandemic, but little is known about potential impact on patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).
METHODS:
We studied the clinical course of COVID-19 in 5 hospitalized patients with autoimmune MG (4 with acetylcholine receptor antibodies, one with muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies).
RESULTS:
Two patients required intubation for hypoxemic respiratory failure, while one required significant supplemental oxygen. One patient with previously stable MG had myasthenic exacerbation. One patient treated with tocilizumab for COVID-19 was successfully extubated. Two patients were treated for MG with intravenous immunoglobulin without thromboembolic complications.
DISCUSSION:
Our findings suggest that the clinical course and outcomes in patients with MG and COVID-19 are highly variable. Further large studies are needed to define best practices and determinants of outcomes in this unique population. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
COVID-19; immunosuppression; myasthenia gravis; neuroimmunology; neuromuscular disorders
PMID:32392389DOI:10.1002/mus.26918