title: Clinical features of patients with Myasthenia gravis from the Henan province, China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Myasthenia gravis (MG) occurs globally, and many studies have indicated that there are regional differences in epidemiology, biomarkers, and prognosis of MG.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 478 patients with MG who visited hospitals in the Henan Province between January 2010 and February 2014 were included. Age, gender, age at onset, serum antibody, thymus pathology, treatment information, and Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) classification were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with previous reports from other areas, we found some differences in MG patients from Henan. The proportion of childhood MG in our study was lower than other reports of Oriental patients with MG. There seems to be an association between onset age, muscle involvement, and acetylcholine receptor antibody levels. Thymectomy improved the symptoms in 78.5% of thymectomy-treated patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These differences are likely related to geographical, environmental, and ethnic differences. Understanding these differences will help us to define more specific treatment.
authors.affiliation: Neuroimmunology Key Laboratory of Zhengzhou, Department of Neuroimmunology Research, The Henan Academy of Medical and Pharmacologic Sciences, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Neuroimmunology Key Laboratory of Zhengzhou, Department of Neuroimmunology Research, The Henan Academy of Medical and Pharmacologic Sciences, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Neuroimmunology Key Laboratory of Zhengzhou, Department of Neuroimmunology Research, The Henan Academy of Medical and Pharmacologic Sciences, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Xinzheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Neuroimmunology Key Laboratory of Zhengzhou, Department of Neuroimmunology Research, The Henan Academy of Medical and Pharmacologic Sciences, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Yingna
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Basic Medical College, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Qianru
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Basic Medical College, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Pingping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Neuroimmunology Key Laboratory of Zhengzhou, Department of Neuroimmunology Research, The Henan Academy of Medical and Pharmacologic Sciences, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Basic Medical College, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zheng-Zhou University, Zheng-Zhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Qingyong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of encephalopathy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of TCM, People's Road No. 19, Zheng-Zhou, Henan, 45004, China.
authors.forename: Junhong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of encephalopathy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of TCM, People's Road No. 19, Zheng-Zhou, Henan, 45004, China.
authors.forename: Yunke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013934:Thymectomy; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001323:Autoantibodies; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide; D001379:Azathioprine
keywords: Myasthenia gravis; anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody; epidemiology; retrospective study; thymectomy