Epidemiologic evidence for a changing natural history of myasthenia gravis.
OBJECTIVE
To survey the epidemiologic literature for evidence of an increasing prevalence of myasthenia gravis (MG) over time, and to explore the reasons for the increase.


METHODS
We found population-based reports of the epidemiology of MG by searching bibliographic databases. We used MG, epidemiology, prevalence, incidence, and mortality as search terms.


METHODS
We included population-based studies that reported the number of cases and the time period from which rates were calculated.


METHODS
We performed a regression analysis of rates versus date of study, comparing the slopes of regression lines for prevalence, incidence, and mortality. We performed a second analysis grouping rates by decade of study and calculating a mean rate weighted by the size of the population studied. We calculated 95% confidence intervals for each rate.


RESULTS
We included 33 studies from 1950 through 1995. Prevalence and incidence rates increased over time, but the regression line for prevalence significantly exceeded that for incidence. Mortality rates declined slightly. The weighted means for prevalence rose significantly, but there was no significant change in incidence or mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of MG has increased over the past forty-five years, probably because patients with the disease have longer life spans owing to present-day treatment.
Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
L H
LH
Phillips
J C
JC
Torner
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D013997:Time Factors