title: The modified rankin scale to assess disability in myasthenia gravis: Comparing with other tools.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We explored the modified Rankin scale (mRS) as a tool to quantitate disability in myasthenia gravis (MG). Our aim was to correlate patients' perception of their disability with that of the care provider and determine its relationship with other MG-related scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 107 MG patients at 2 neurological centers. Patients were assessed over the telephone before and after clinic visits using the 15-item Myasthenia Gravis Quality-of-Life index (MG-QOL15) and mRS. At the clinic, patients were assessed using the MG-QOL15, MG Composite (MGC), and mRS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MG-QOL15 correlated with the MGC, mRS, and assessors' scores of patients. Assessors' perception of disease burden was in line with that of the patients' scoring. MG-QOL15 scores obtained over the telephone were consistent with those obtained in the clinic. Scores were generally higher in patients receiving steroids at >5 mg/day and in those receiving or seeking benefits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MG-QOL15 and mRS are useful for estimating disability in MG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF, UK.
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Farrugia
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carmichael
authors.forename: Bryan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Cupka
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warder
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Ted M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone
keywords: MG-QOL15; disability; modified Rankin scale; myasthenia gravis; quality of life