Abstract | OBJECTIVES: METHODS: We present here the first Taiwanese retrospective paired cohort study comparing the effectiveness of thymectomy among 16 seronegative and 32 seropositive MG patients after matching for age-of-onset and time-to- thymectomy, and following up over a mean of 35 +/- 20 (7-86) months. Clinical characteristics and complete stable remission (CSR) rates were compared and analyzed between the groups. RESULTS: There were no major clinical differences between the two groups except for our finding of a lower percentage of SNMG receiving preoperative plasmapheresis or human immunoglobulin than SPMG (31% for SNMG vs 72% for SPMG, P = 0.007). CSR rates calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method were similar in the two groups (38% for SNMG vs 50% for SPMG, P = 0.709). The median time for CSR was 47.4 months for SNMG and 48.2 months for SPMG. Thymic hyperplasia were the most common pathology (69% for SNMG vs 88% for SPMG, P = 0.24). During the follow-up period, we found no group difference on prednisolone or pyridostigmine dosages. Significant postoperative dosage reductions on pyridostigmine, but not on prednisolone, were found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS:
Thymectomy has a comparable response among SNMG and SPMG in our study. Thymic hyperplasia is prevalent in our SNMG patients and thymectomy may also be a therapeutic option to increase the probability of remission or improvement in SNMG. More prospective controlled trial will be helpful in the future.
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Authors | H K Yuan, B-S Huang, S-Y Kung, K-P Kao |
Journal | Acta neurologica Scandinavica
(Acta Neurol Scand)
Vol. 115
Issue 3
Pg. 181-4
(Mar 2007)
ISSN: 0001-6314 [Print] Denmark |
PMID | 17295713
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antibodies
- Receptors, Nicotinic
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Antibodies
(blood)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Male
- Myasthenia Gravis
(blood, surgery)
- Receptors, Nicotinic
(immunology)
- Retrospective Studies
- Taiwan
- Thymectomy
- Treatment Outcome
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