Miastenia gravis refractaria con buena respuesta a rituximab: caso clínico / Refractory myasthenia gravis with good response to rituximab: report of one case

RESUMEN

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a heterogeneous disease, and there is no unique therapeutic approach for all patients. In 2013 the Myasthenia Gravis American Foundation (MGFA) panel of experts defined refractory MG as the lack of change or deterioration after the use of corticosteroids and two immunosuppressive agents, in adequate doses and time. We report a 51-years-old female with MG of bulbar predominance, who presented four myasthenic crises in 17 months despite the use of corticosteroids, azathioprine and mycophenolate. The high costs associated with her hospitalizations, as well as severe caloric - protein malnutrition, the need for tracheostomy and gastrostomy support, led us to use rituximab. The patient evolved with an excellent response, free of crises after 30 months. She gained 12 kg of weight, without tracheostomy and gastrostomy, only using pyridostigmine support 4 times a day.