title: EMG evidence of myopathy and the occurrence of titin autoantibodies in patients with myasthenia gravis.
abstract: We studied 65 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Clinical, neurophysiological, immunological, and histological findings suggested the coexistence of a presumed autoimmune myopathy. The clinical features were persistent pyridostigmine-resistant weakness and atrophy of striated muscles. The myopathy was found more often in patients with late-onset MG than in those with early-onset (37% vs 13%). Patients with myopathy were also prone to have other immune disorders (47% vs 13%). Elevated titres of antibodies against titin were detected more often in patients with electromyography (EMG) evidence of myopathy than in the sera of those without, and only in late-onset MG cases.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, National Hospital (Rigshospitalet), 9 Blegdamsvej, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. somnier@post5.tele.dk
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Somnier
authors.forename: G O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Skeie
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Aarli
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Trojaborg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D064211:Connectin; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000503:physiopathology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; D064211:Connectin; D009124:Muscle Proteins; C577285:TTN protein, human; D011494:Protein Kinases