Fatigue assessment on myastenia gravis patientsrahmi tümay ala1

Introduction Fatigue is a multidimensional and common problem for myastenia gravis(MG) patients. This study aims assesment the fatigue relationship with disease and patient spesific variables, disaese burden and origin of fatigue. Methods 53 MG patients (who is on pharmacologic remission or had minimal manifestations) enrolled this study. MG patients diagnosed with positive antibody test, decrement response on repetetive test or increased jitter on single fiber EMG.Participitans divided two groups: the patients with at least one myastenic exacerbation and the patients not Patients assesed with CIS(Checklist of individual strength), MG-QoL, QMGscore, hand-grip strength with dynamometer. Results Mean CIS-Total score was 72. %80 of patients fatigued with the cut-off value 40 on CIS test. The exacerbation group had higher scores on CIS-Total, CIS-physical activity, CIS-subjective perception on fatigue with the higher bulbar and extremity weakness scores and quality of life scores. Fatigue scores also showed strong positive correlation with QMG-bulbar and extremity, hand grip weakness, quality of life results and receiving ivig or plasma exchange multiple times. Fatigue was not correlated with age, disease duration, early or late onset cigaratte or alcohol consumption. Conclusion Fatigue is common symptom for MG patients. Problem is not only physical fatigability, these patients also got problem on perception and lower quality of life.Fatigue has peripheral origin.Lower scores on exacerbation group can be explained with the disease burden on neuromuscular junction. So preventing myastenic crisis, aggresive treatment on bulbar and generalized symptoms, increased physical activity is solution options for fatigue.