Progression from ocular to generalized myasthenia gravis in adults / 中华神经科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the time and rate of generalization developed from ocular symptoms in adults to generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG).Methods The data from 456 adult patients who started on ocular symptoms during Jan 2005 to Jan 2012 were retrospectively studied,with a follow-up period of 3 months to 17 years.The data included transfer time,Osserman type,difference between steroids group and no-steroids group.Results (1) During the follow-up period,197 (43.2％) patients developed to generalized myasthenia gravis,58.4％ (115/197)in one year after onset of ocular symptoms,74.1％ (146/197) in 2 years and 80.7％ (159/197) in 3 years.86.8％ (171/197) developed to Osserman Ⅱ a or Ⅱ b.(2) Of 233 patients untreated with steroids,134 (57.5％) developed to GMG,while 63 (28.3％) of 223 patients who were treated with steroids developed to GMG (x2 =38.57,P ＜ 0.01).There were no difference between two groups in transfer time and Osserman type.Conclusion MG initiated from ocular syndromes in adults easily develops to GMG in 2 years.Patients treated with steroids have low chance of generalization.