Clinical manifestations of myasthenia gravis - review of cases seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
to review cases of myasthenia gravis at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.


METHODS
features of 27 cases of myasthenia gravis seen at the Neurology outpatient clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital between January 1995 and December 2000 were reviewed using a uniform protocol.


RESULTS
peak age incidence was in the third decade, and the male to female ratio 1.7 to 1. The commonest presentation was ptosis (85.1% ), followed by diplopia (37% ) and limb weakness (37% ). Other features such as dysphonia, dysphagia and dysarthria, were relatively uncommon. Ocular myasthenia gravis was diagnosed in half of the patients and generalised myasthenia in the other half. All the patients except four responded satisfactorily to prednisolone and/or anti-cholinesterase. Azathioprine was added to the treatment of those that did not respond well, and replaced prednisolone in a patient who developed steroid-induced diabetes mellitus. One patient developed myasthenic crisis and required artificial ventilator support. One patient had thymectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
cases of myasthenia gravis present infrequently at the neurology clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Clinical presentation and response to treatment are similar to those described elsewhere.
Ojini
F I
FI
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
Danesi
M A
MA
Ogun
S A
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D009549:Nigeria