How to treat myasthenia gravis

  Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an acquired autoimmune disease characterized by weakness of transverse muscle contraction and easy fatigue, which may resolve and improve with rest.  Treatment 1, anticholinesterase inhibitors: Almost all patients with myasthenia gravis use cholinesterase inhibitors. The two most commonly used are pyridostigmine and neostigmine. Pyridostigmine, with less cholinergic negative effects and long duration of action, 3-4 hours, is widely used in clinical practice, while neostigmine, with a relatively short duration of action, generally about 2 hours, and more cholinergic negative effects, is less commonly used.  Despite the increase of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor dose, myasthenia gravis symptoms are still progressively aggravated and respiratory muscle paralysis occurs, indicating the emergence of myasthenia gravis or cholinergic crisis, which can be life-threatening, and tracheal intubation or tracheotomy should be performed.  2, thymus removal: It is generally believed that thymus removal is most effective in young female patients with thymic hyperplasia and high acetylcholine receptor antibody titers; thymoma is an absolute indication for surgical removal because it often invades the mediastinum or other areas. Although there are no rigorous comparative studies on the degree of improvement of myasthenia gravis by age, gender, antibody titer, and severity of the disease, it is generally accepted that thymus removal can lead to remission and improvement in most patients, and some patients can be cured. Therefore, early thyme removal should be advocated, especially for patients with thymic hyperplasia and thymoma.  3, glucocorticoids: Currently prednisone and other glucocorticoids are widely used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. The therapeutic effect varies among reports, but the overall efficiency is above 50%.  At the beginning of the disease, prednisone oral dose, national about 60mg, once every other day, tonics; can also be added to the polarization solution dexamethasone 15mg static drip, once / day, 10-14 days as a course of treatment. Reduce as appropriate for children. The average time for clinical symptoms to improve significantly in glucocorticoid treatment of muscle weakness is about 3 months. After the condition stabilizes, remits and improves, the glucocorticoid dosage should be gradually reduced.  4.Immunosuppressants: If the above treatment is not effective, azathioprine and cyclophosphamide can be used. The negative effects should be closely monitored during the treatment.  5.Plasma exchange: It is especially suitable for severe cases or patients with myasthenia gravis, which can rapidly and effectively improve the patient’s symptoms and reduce the level of acetylcholine receptor antibodies in the patient’s plasma in a short period of time. However, the clinical use is somewhat limited due to its high cost and other reasons.  6, immunosorbent therapy: Immunosorbent therapy is a new therapy established after plasma replacement therapy. The principle is that when the blood of a patient with myasthenia gravis passes through a specially treated membrane, the antibodies to the acetylcholine receptors in the blood are selectively adsorbed onto the membrane, thus achieving the purpose of eliminating the antibodies in the blood, and the “purified blood” is transfused back into the patient to improve the symptoms. This therapy is especially suitable for critically ill patients, especially those with respiratory muscle paralysis, and is relatively safe and effective.  7.High-dose gammaglobulin: For critically ill patients or those who have myasthenia gravis, or those whose long-term treatment with anticholinesterase drugs, glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants is ineffective, high-dose gammaglobulin can be considered. The dose is 100-400mg/kg, or 10-20g intravenous drip for adults each time. For critically ill patients, use the above dose once/day for 5-6 days.