title: Azathioprine as a single drug or in combination with steroids in the treatment of myasthenia gravis.
abstract: Azathioprine (Aza) has been used alone or in combination with steroids for two groups of myasthenic patients. Positive responses were noted in 75% of patients on Aza alone and in 70% receiving the combined regimen. The clinical course of the two groups differed in terms of respiratory crisis and need for plasma exchange. With an appropriate Aza administration schedule side-effects were not a limiting factor to its use. Aza treatment induced a reduction in anti-AchR-antibody level that was correlated with clinical improvement and greatly decreased the need for steroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Istituto Neurologico C.Besta, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mantegazza
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antozzi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peluchetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sghirlanzoni
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cornelio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008297:Male; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids; D001379:Azathioprine