Quality of life of myasthenia gravis patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of myasthenia gravis (MG) on the quality of life (QOL) of MG patients.


METHODS
QOL was assessed with SF-36 questionnaire.


RESULTS
Thirty-one patients participating in the present study, 74.2% female, with an average age of 44.9 years old. From the SF-36 questionnaire, emotional well being had the lowest score while other components were in average or high range. Ocular and mild generalized MG had better physical functioning than moderate generalized MG With treatment, those who had no or minimal symptoms had better QOL in both physical and mental aspects. Immunosuppressant was not associated with poor QOL.


CONCLUSIONS
QOL of Thai MG patients is better than Westerners. However, MG still has significant impact to both physical and mental aspects. More emphasis is needed for mental aspects. The degree of disease control is very important in QOL and the use of immunosuppressant does not impair QOL.
Neurology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumtani, Thailand. kongkiat1@gmail.com
Kongkiat
K
Kulkantrakorn
Wiwat
W
Jarungkiatkul
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult