title: [Correlation of acetylcholine receptor antibodies and clinical severity of myasthenia gravis in combined immunosuppressive therapy].
abstract: The correlation between the severity of symptoms in myasthenia gravis (score) and the level of acetylcholine receptor-antibodies (ACHR-Ab) was studied in 24 patients treated with immunosuppressive therapy. This correlation was significant in every case regardless of whether or not thymectomy was performed in addition. It was demonstrated by means of a long-term follow up study, that a change in ACHR-Ab preceeds the corresponding change in score by 2-4 months in 80% of our patients. Measurements of ACHR-Ab ease the management of the therapy with immunosuppressants and make it safer. This is particularly true prior to and after termination of the treatment. A change in ACHR-Ab level by more than 20% indicates a change in score.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D013934:Thymectomy
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone
vernacular_title: Korrelation von Acetylcholin-Receptor-Antikörpern und klinischem Schweregrad der Myasthenia gravis unter kombinierter immunsuppressiver Therapie.