[Pubmed] The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australia's myasthenia gravis patients: A self-reported survey study

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Neurol Sci. 2024 Dec 28. doi: 10.1007/s10072-024-07934-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Previous studies have demonstrated high morbidity and mortality in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) who acquired COVID-19. We aimed to identify the impact of the pandemic on MG disease control, treatment and quality of life.

METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian patients with MG. We conducted an online survey through Myasthenia Alliance Australia from May 2022 to July 2022.

RESULTS: Among the 229 patients who responded to the survey, most patients had three (80; 34.9%) or four (116; 50.7%) doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, 65 (28.4%) had contracted COVID-19, with 6 patients (9.4%) requiring hospitalisation. A large proportion of patients responded that the pandemic had no impact on their MG disease control (123; 53.7%) or treatment (111; 48.5%). Most patients felt the pandemic had either a mild (111; 48.5%) or moderate (50; 21.8%) impact on their mood.

CONCLUSION: Our study provides a snapshot of the types of impacts experienced by myasthenic patients during the pandemic, in particular the psychosocial effects. As we continue to live with COVID-19, clinicians should consider its various impacts in the holistic management of their patients.

PMID:39730952 | DOI:10.1007/s10072-024-07934-6


Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3973095 ... t9+e462414