Acetylcholine receptor antibody in Thai generalized myasthenia gravis patients.
The authors studied acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR Ab) in twenty-six Thai patients diagnosed as having generalized myasthenia gravis and fifteen control cases. AChR Ab assay was done by radio-immunoassay technique and reported by titer in nmole/L. The positive result was defined by titer more than 0.5 nmole/L. In the myasthenia gravis group, age ranged from 18 to 64 years old with mean of 34 years old. The female: male ratio was 4.2:1. Duration of disease before taking blood sample ranged from 1 month to 14 years with a mean of 3.9 year The AChR Ab could be detected in 21 out of 26 patients (80.7%). In the control group, tests were all negative. The results of the test made the sensitivity of 80.7% and specificity of 100%. The positive predictive value was 100%, the negative predictive value was 75%, and the prevalence was 60.3%. There was no correlation between AChR Ab titer and clinical features. This test is a very valuable test in case of uncertainly in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. sutjit@kku.ac.th
Suthipun
S
Jitpimolmard
Somsak
S
Taimkao
Verajit
V
Chotmongkol
Kittisak
K
Sawanyawisuth
Angela
A
Vincent
John
J
Newsom-Davis
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013785:Thailand
D000906:Antibodies; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic