Acupuncture combined with western medication for ocular myasthenia gravis: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy between acupuncture combined with western medication and simple western medication for ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG), and to explore its possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients of ocular myasthenia gravis were randomized into an acupuncture combined with western medication group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a western medication group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off). Oral pyridostigmine bromide tablet and prednisone acetate tablet were given in the western medication group. On the basis of the treatment in the western medication group, Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture (acupuncture for unblocking the governor vessel and regulating qi ) was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Fengfu (GV 16), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. in the acupuncture combined with western medication group, once a day, 6 days a week. The treatment was given 8 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment, the OMG clinical absolute score was observed, electrophysiological indexes of orbicularis oculi (value of mean jitter, percentage of jitter >55 μs and percentage of blocks) were measured by single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG), serum levels of acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Ab), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were detected by ELISA method.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the OMG clinical absolute scores, values of mean jitter, percentages of jitter >55 μs, percentages of blocks and serum levels of AChR-Ab, IFN-γ and IL-4 were decreased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and those in the acupuncture combined with western medication group were lower than the western medication group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture combined with western medication can effectively improve ptosis, palpebra superior fatigability, eye movement disorder and neuromuscular junction dysfunction in patients with ocular myasthenia gravis, the therapeutic effect is superior to simple western medication. Its mechanism may be related to down-regulating serum levels of AChR-Ab, IFN-γ and IL-4 and promoting the recovery of orbicularis oculi function.

Sensitivity of Diagnostic Tests and Therapeutic Outcome in Ocular Myasthenia Gravis

PURPOSE: To compare the sensitivity of various diagnostic tests, and to assess the efficacy of therapy in the management of myasthenia gravis (MG). METHODS: Thirty-two patients with ocular findings with MG were examined by Stimulated Single Fiber Electromyograhy (SFEMG), Repetitive Nerve Stimulation (RNS) test, Edrophonium (Tensilon) test, anti-acethylcholine receptor antibody titer. We also studied retrospectively clinical characteristics and efficacy RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 32 years (range 1 to 63 years). Twenty (62.5%) were females and 12 (37.5%) were males. Mean duration of symptoms was 17 months (range 5 months to 10 years). Associated ocular findings were ptosis 31 eyes (97%), diplopia 20 eyes (63%), and ocular limitation 19 eyes (59%). The value of diagnostic sensitivity was 97% in SFEMG, 94% in tensilon test, 75% in RNS test, and 69% in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody assay. Nine of 10 cases who were treated with thymectomy and pyridostigmine were markedly improved. Eight cases (25%) subsequently developed generalized type of myasthenia gravis. CONCLUSIONS: Ptosis and diplopia were most frequently associated with ocular myasthenia gravis. For diagnosis of ocular myasthenia gravis, SFEMG or tensilon test was the most sensitive test. Thymectomy combined with pyridostigmine bromide seemed to be an effective therapeutic modality.