Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Tacrolimus in Myasthenia Gravis
Yonsei Medical Journal
;
: 633-639, 2019.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-762097
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a lifelong autoimmune disorder that affects neuromuscular transmission. The long-term treatment plan should include immunotherapy. We investigated the long-term safety and efficacy of tacrolimus for the treatment of MG in real-world clinical practice. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
We retrospectively reviewed 160 MG patients treated with tacrolimus from 2005 to 2015. Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) clinical classification, MGFA post-intervention status, myasthenic functional score, and dose of oral prednisolone were investigated.RESULTS:
Adverse events occurred in 68 patients (42.5%), most of which were minor and well-managed. Clinical severity scales improved after administration of tacrolimus, compared to the baseline. Compared to 6 months before administration of tacrolimus, prednisolone dose significantly decreased at 12 months after treatment (2.85±0.92 mg/day, p=0.002), 18 months after treatment (3.36±0.99 mg/day, p=0.001), and 24 months after treatment (3.71±0.93 mg/day, p<0.001).CONCLUSION:
Tacrolimus may be effective in reducing the severity of MG and may permit a reduction in the steroid dose prescribed to the patients. Adverse events due to tacrolimus treatment were not serious.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Weights and Measures
/
Americas
/
Prednisolone
/
Retrospective Studies
/
Classification
/
Tacrolimus
/
Immunotherapy
/
Myasthenia Gravis
Type of study:
Observational study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Yonsei Medical Journal
Year:
2019
Type:
Article
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