title: Myasthenia gravis and elderly people.
abstract: Myasthenia gravis is probably commoner than previously suspected, the annual incidence being nearer 9-10/million than earlier figures of 2-4/million. The current study found an annual incidence in Croyden of 9.1 per million (95% confidence limits 5.7-13.8 per million). Of the 22 patients (59%) seen in Croyden with newly diagnosed myasthenia gravis during the past 7 years, 13 were aged over 60. In a separate study of the age distribution of positive acetylcholine receptor antibody assays, 51% were 60 years or above in 1991, and 64% in 1994. The peak age in both sexes was 70-80, and numbers were greatest in men aged 60-80.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Atkinson Morley's Hospital, Copse Hill, Wimbledon, London SW20 0NE UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drayson
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic