A randomized controlled trial of methotrexate for patients with generalized myasthenia gravis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the steroid-sparing effect of methotrexate (MTX) in patients with symptomatic generalized myasthenia gravis (MG).


METHODS
We performed a 12-month multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of MTX 20 mg orally every week vs placebo in 50 acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive patients with MG between April 2009 and August 2014. The primary outcome measure was the prednisone area under the dose-time curve (AUDTC) from months 4 to 12. Secondary outcome measures included 12-month changes of the Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis Score, the Myasthenia Gravis Composite Score, Manual Muscle Testing, the Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life, and the Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living.


RESULTS
Fifty-eight patients were screened and 50 enrolled. MTX did not reduce the month 4-12 prednisone AUDTC when compared to placebo (difference MTX - placebo: -488.0 mg, 95% confidence interval -2,443.4 to 1,467.3, p = 0.26); however, the average daily prednisone dose decreased in both groups. MTX did not improve secondary measures of MG compared to placebo over 12 months. Eight participants withdrew during the course of the study (1 MTX, 7 placebo). There were no serious MTX-related adverse events. The most common adverse event was nonspecific pain (19%).


CONCLUSIONS
We found no steroid-sparing benefit of MTX in MG over 12 months of treatment, despite being well-tolerated. This study demonstrates the challenges of conducting clinical trials in MG, including difficulties with recruitment, participants improving on prednisone alone, and the need for a better understanding of outcome measure variability for future clinical trials.


METHODS
This study provides Class I evidence that for patients with generalized MG MTX does not significantly reduce the prednisone AUDTC over 12 months of therapy.
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA. mpasnoor@kumc.edu.
Mamatha
M
Pasnoor
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Jianghua
J
He
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Laura
L
Herbelin
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Ted M
TM
Burns
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Sharon
S
Nations
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Vera
V
Bril
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Annabel K
AK
Wang
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Bakri H
BH
Elsheikh
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
John T
JT
Kissel
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
David
D
Saperstein
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
J Aziz
JA
Shaibani
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Carlayne
C
Jackson
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Andrea
A
Swenson
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
James F
JF
Howard
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Namita
N
Goyal
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
William
W
David
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Matthew
M
Wicklund
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Michael
M
Pulley
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Mara
M
Becker
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Tahseen
T
Mozaffar
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Michael
M
Benatar
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Robert
R
Pazcuzzi
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Ericka
E
Simpson
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Jeffrey
J
Rosenfeld
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Mazen M
MM
Dimachkie
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Jeffrey M
JM
Statland
From the Department of Biostatistics (J.H.), University of Kansas Medical Center (M.P., J.H., L.H., M.M.D., J.M.S., R.J.B.), Kansas City; University of Virginia (T.M.B.), Charlottesville; University of Texas Southwestern (S.N.), Dallas; University of Toronto (V.B.), Canada; University of California-Irvine (A.K.W., T.M.), Orange; Ohio State University (B.H.E., J.T.K.), Columbus; Phoenix Neurological Associates (D.S.), AZ; Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas (J.A.S.), Houston; University of Texas Health Science Center (C.J.), San Antonio; University of Iowa (A.S.), Iowa City; University of North Carolina (J.F.H.), Chapel Hill; Massachusetts General Hospital (N.G., W.D.), Boston; Penn State Hershey Medical Center (M.W.), Hershey, PA; University of Florida-Jacksonville (M.P.); Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (M. Becker), Kansas City, MO; University of Miami (M. Benatar), FL; Indiana University (R.P.), Indianapolis; Methodist Hospital System (E.S.), Houston, TX; and University of San Francisco (J.R.), CA.
Richard J
RJ
Barohn
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000378:metabolism; D002170:Canada; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate