title: Overview of myasthenia gravis.
abstract: Myasthenia gravis is an antibody-mediated disorder of neuromuscular transmission that is characterized by weakness and fatigue of voluntary muscles. Weakness may be ocular, bulbar, or generalized. Diagnostic evaluation of patients consists of bedside assessment, antibody testing, and electrophysiologic studies. Various therapeutic options are available, which consist of anticholinesterase inhibitors for symptomatic management, immunosuppressive agents as maintenance therapy, and thymectomy. Plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin are used in patients in crisis or those with rapidly worsening or refractory symptoms. In our article, we elaborate on key aspects of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic evaluation, and therapeutic options for patients with myasthenia gravis.
authors.affiliation: Division of the Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Yeeshu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Yuebing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013934:Thymectomy
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases