Abstract
The association of myasthenia gravis with other autoimmune diseases is well known. The characterization of autoimmune diseases clusters occurring in myasthenic patients in excess to that expected by chance may provide insights into shared pathophysiologic mechanisms. Recent studies suggest that the pathogenic heterogeneity of myasthenia gravis seems to influence both the rate and the characteristics of concurrent autoimmune diseases. The chronic nature of associated autoimmune diseases places a significant challenge in the care of patients with myasthenia gravis. Diagnosis of these disorders is complex, and depends on recognition of specific clinical features followed by appropriate autoantibody testing. Once the diagnosis of an associated autoimmune disease is reached, a multidisciplinary approach is usually needed to optimize the therapeutic strategies, avoiding at the same time the side effects that can potentially derive from the combination of multiple immunosuppressive agents.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Novel Challenges in Myasthenia Gravis |
| Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Pages | 133-151 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781634830003, 9781634829779 |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 1 2015 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)