重症肌无力患者外周血AIRE、Tfh细胞和Tfr细胞与病情严重性相关分析

目的探讨自身免疫性调节因子(AIRE)、滤泡辅助性T(Tfh)细胞和滤泡调节性T(Tfr)细胞与重症肌无力(MG)患者病情严重程度的相关性。方法收集2015-12—2016-4第四军医大学唐都医院收治的MG患者22例,根据临床表现分为全身型MG(GMG)和眼肌型MG(OMG);同期选取健康体检中心查体者10名作为健康对照。收集MG患者详细临床资料,包括美国MG协会(MGFA)分型及定量MG(QMG)评分。通过流式细胞术分析AIRE阳性细胞比例及Tfh/Tfr比值。结果 (1)AIRE表达在各组间比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.01)。GMG组和OMG组AIRE表达均较对照组降低(P0.01,P0.05),而GMG组与OMG组间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)Tfh/Tfr比值在各组间比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.01)。GMG组和OMG组Tfh/Tfr比值均高于对照组(P0.01,P0.05),且GMG组高于OMG组(P0.05)。(3)MG患者AIRE表达与MGFA分型及QMG评分呈负相关(r=-0.517,P0.05;r=-0.616,P0.01),Tfh/Tfr比值与MGFA分型和QMG评分呈正相关(r=0.761,r=0.581,均P0.01)。结论 AIRE、Tfh/Tfr比值与MG的病情严重程度有一定的相关性,并可能参与了MG的发病。     

青少年起病的重症肌无力患者临床特点分析

目的分析青少年起病的重症肌无力(MG)患者的临床特点。方法回顾性分析2006-2013年作者医院神经内科住院的351例起病年龄≤18岁MG患者的临床资料,包括人口统计学(性别、年龄),临床特点(临床分型、起病症状、疾病转归、胸腺情况)和合并疾病(自身免疫性疾病)。结果青少年起病的MG患者发病年龄小于5岁者占45.9%,女性多见占53.6%。根据美国重症肌无力协会(myasthenia gravis foundation of America,MGFA)分型,Ⅰ型占80.3%,Ⅱa型占8.5%,Ⅱb型占9.1%,Ⅲa型占0.3%,Ⅲb型占1.4%,Ⅳb型占0.3%。由眼肌型MG(OMG)转化为全身型MG(GMG)患者39例(13.8%),主要诱发转化的因素为不规律用药或停药。诱发病情复发或加重的因素中以受凉多见,占63.6%。合并胸腺异常患者有60例,其中28例行胸腺切除术,术后病理分型:胸腺增生20例,胸腺瘤4例。合并有其他自身免疫性疾病共20例,其中甲状腺功能亢进占4.6%,甲状腺功能减低占0.6%,甲状腺囊肿占0.6%。共有6例患者发生过危象,其中5例发生肌无力危象者为由OMG转化为GMG患者。结论青少年MG患者有自己独特的临床特点:5岁之前发病更多见;诱发病情复发或加重的因素中以受凉多见;合并胸腺增生者多于合并胸腺瘤者;最常见的甲状腺功能异常为甲状腺功能亢进。     

老年起病型重症肌无力患者的临床特点

目的探讨老年起病型重症肌无力(MG)的临床特点。方法回顾性分析332例起病年龄≥65岁的MG患者的临床资料。结果该组MG患者男女比例为1.3∶1。全身型MG (GMG)和眼肌型MG(OMG)的比例为1.9∶1,OMG在男性多于女性而GMG在女性多于男性(P=0.033)。以OMG起病和以GMG起病的比例为1.5∶1,起病症状以眼睑下垂最多见占38.6%;在以OMG起病的患者中,女性患者转化为GMG的比率要明显高于男性患者(P=0.035)。病程中位数为3.7年,平均定量MG评分为7分。新斯的明试验阳性率为96.7%。低频重复频率电刺激波幅递减的总体发生率为48.2%,其中面神经的阳性率最高。MG合并胸腺异常的发生率为36.3%,以合并胸腺瘤者最多;胸腺瘤手术后病理分型以AB型最多,女性患者AB型胸腺瘤所占的比率要明显高于男性(P=0.048)。MG合并甲状腺功能异常的发生率为16%,以合并甲状腺功能亢进者最多。结论老年起病型MG患者GMG多于OMG、以OMG起病的女性患者转化为GMG的比率高于男性患者,胸腺瘤是最常见的胸腺异常且最常见的胸腺瘤病理分型为AB型。充分认识其临床特点有利于更好的治疗该类患者。     

眼肌型和全身型重症肌无力的差异

重症肌无力(myasthenia gravis,MG)是由乙酰胆碱受体抗体(acetylcholine receptor antibody,AChRAb)介导的、细胞免疫依赖的、补体参与的自身免疫性疾病,其主要临床症状为横纹肌收缩无力,多数患者起病表现为眼肌型MG(ocular MG,OMG),以后逐渐进展为全身型MG(generalizedMG,GMG),严重者累及呼吸肌,发生肌无力危象而死亡[1]。     

188例重症肌无力患者生活质量研究

目的分析重症肌无力(MG)患者的生活质量。方法纳入2013-03-2014-06在唐都医院神经内科就诊的MG患者188例,应用重症肌无力量化评分(QMGs)评估患者病情严重程度,采用36项简明健康状况调查表(SF-36)评估患者生活质量,采用汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HDRS)和汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HARS)评估抑郁和焦虑症状。比较不同教育水平、职业、眼肌型重症肌无力(ocular MG,OMG)症状、胸腺情况等患者间SF-36评分的差异,并对QMG评分、年龄、HARS和HDRS得分与SF-36两项复合得分进行多元线性回归分析。结果高级教育组在躯体疼痛项得分高于初级教育组(P0.05),学生组在生理机能项(P0.05)和生理角色功能项(P0.05)得分均高于脑力劳动组,学生组在生理角色功能项得分亦高于体力劳动组(P0.05);学生组在生理复合得分(PCS)项得分高于按照职业分组的其他3组(均P0.05);OMG组在精神复合得分(MCS)项得分高于全身型重症肌无力(generalized MG,GMG)组(P0.05)。较高的QMGs、HARS得分和高龄可以预测较低的PCS得分,较高的QMGs和HARS得分可预测较低的MCS得分。结论影响MG患者生活质量的因素包括年龄、教育水平、职业、胸腺情况、MG的类型和GMG的类型、疾病的严重程度和心理障碍。较高的QMGs和HARS得分可以预测较低的PCS和MCS得分,年龄大可预测较低的PCS得分。     

Th22细胞及相关因子在重症肌无力患者外周血中的表达

目的研究重症肌无力(myasthenia gravis,MG)患者外周血辅助性T细胞22(T helper 22cells,Th22)和白细胞介素-22(interleukin-22,IL-22)的表达以及两者间的相关性。方法收集25例MG患者和24例健康对照者,其中眼肌型重症肌无力(ocular myasthenia gravis,OMG)患者14例,全身型重症肌无力(general myasthenia gravis,GMG)患者11例。采用流式细胞仪检测MG患者和健康对照者外周血单个核细胞(peripheral blood mononuclear cells,PBMC)中Th22细胞的比例,采用酶联免疫吸附实验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测血浆IL-22的表达。比较各组间Th22细胞比例和IL-22表达水平差异,以及Th22细胞比例和IL-22表达间的相关性。结果 MG患者PBMC中Th22细胞比例、血浆IL-22表达水平均显著低于健康对照组[(0.60±0.07)%比(0.92±0.09)%,P0.01;(18.65±1.38)pg/mL比(24.54±1.85)pg/mL,P0.05];OMG与GMG患者间Th22细胞比例、IL-22表达水平均无统计学差异(均P0.05);MG患者PBMC中Th22细胞比例与IL-22表达水平间呈中度正相关(r=0.59,P0.01)。结论 MG患者体内Th22细胞比例及血浆IL-22表达水平减低可能导致免疫功能紊乱进而影响MG的发病。     

眼肌型重症肌无力研究进展及临床问题

在重症肌无力(MG)患者中眼肌型重症肌无力(ocular myasthenia gravis,OMG)是最常见的临床类型,在我国OMG发病率较高。OMG患者表现的眼外肌无力(如上睑下垂)可以直观地显示MG患者的表征特点,以及表现为晨轻暮重或活动     

小儿眼型重症肌无力向全身型转化的临床特点

目的 研究小儿眼型重症肌无力(ocular myasthenia gravis,OMG)向全身型重症肌无力(generalized myasthenia gravis,GMG)的转型率、转型时间及使用泼尼松对转型的影响.方法 回顾性分析1977至2005年青岛大学医学院附属医院诊治的978例小儿OMG转变为GMG的转型率、转型时间以及泼尼松对转型的影响,并与同期诊治的1359例成人OMG患者进行对比分析.结果 小儿OMG转化为GMG的转型率为13.0%(127/978),而成人OMG的转型率为67.2%(913/1359),两组差异有统计学意义(χ2=674.17,P<0.01).OMG的转型时间大多在发病后的2年内,小儿OMG(58.3%,74/127)与成人OMG(83.6%,763/913)在发病后2年内转型的比率差异有统计学意义(χ2=45.39,P<0.01).使用泼尼松的456例小儿OMG患者中仅有5例(1.1%)转为GMG,而从未使用过泼尼松的522例小儿OMG患者中有122例(23.4%)变为GMG,差异有统计学意义(χ2=104.9,P<0.01).结论 小儿OMG转型率与成人OMG相比显著减少;转型的时间大多在发病后头2年内;泼尼松确实能减少小儿OMG向GMG转化的机会.     

microRNA-181c在重症肌无力患者外周血单个核细胞中的表达及其意义

目的探讨microRNA-181c(miR-181c)在重症肌无力(myasthenia gravis,MG)患者中的表达水平及其临床意义。方法收集2015年6月-2017年6月收治的22例MG患者和20例健康人的外周静脉血样,提取外周血单个核细胞(peripheral blood mononuclear cell,PBMC)中总RNA,采用实时定量PCR(quantitative real-time PCR,qRT-PCR)技术检测PBMC中miR-181c的相对表达水平,并分析miR-181c表达水平与患者的MG定量评分体系(quantitative myasthenia gravis score,QMG)的相关性。结果 MG患者PBMC中miR-181c的相对表达水平(0.303±0.150)较对照组(1.000±0.262)显著降低(P0.01),其中全身型患者(0.182±0.056)低于眼肌型患者(0.404±0.126)(P0.05),同时miR-181c表达水平与QMG呈负相关(R2=-0.359,P0.05)。结论 MG患者PBMC中miR-181c表达水平的降低可能与病情严重程度有关。     

眼肌型及全身型重症肌无力患者外周血T淋巴细胞Fas的表达

目的 探讨Fas介导的细胞凋亡与眼肌型(ocular myasthenia gravis,OMG)及全身型重症肌无力(generalized myasthenia gravis,GMG)发病的关系.方法 采用流式细胞技术检测4例OMG、13例GMG患者及13例健康对照组外周血淋巴细胞中CD4、CD8及Fas的表达.结果 OMG、GMG组与对照组外周血T淋巴细胞表面CD4、CD8分子表达的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).GMG组与对照组外周血T淋巴细胞中Fas+细胞比例的差异有统计学意义(41.72%±8.73%、31.22%±13.00%,P:0.017).GMG组与对照组Fas表达增高者比例的差异有统计学意义(61.5%、15,4%,P=0.041).Fas表达增高的GMG患者病情较重.病程较长.胸腺瘤发生率较高.OMG与GMG组外周血T淋巴细胞中Fa8+、CD4+Fas+、CD8+Fas+细胞比例差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 GMG患者外周血T淋巴细胞中Fas的表达升高,OMG与GMG患者外周血T淋巴细胞中Fas的表达无显著差异,二者可能同属一种系统性疾病.     

Quality of life in 188 patients with myasthenia gravis in China

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a kind of chronic autoimmune disease which can weaken patients' motor function and, furthermore, produce negative impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The primary purpose of this research was to evaluate factors that might affect the HRQoL of MG patients. A cross-sectional clinical research was carried out including 188 successive patients with MG. Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) classification and Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score were applied to assess the severity of the disease. The Medical Outcome Survey 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to estimate the HRQoL. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) were utilized to measure the depression and anxiety symptom. Factors may influence the HRQoL of MG patients include age, educational level, occupation, the situation of the thymus, the type of MG and generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG), the severity of the disease and the psychological disorder. Higher QMG and HARS scores were two significant factors that can prognosticate lower Physical Composite Score (PCS) and Mental Composite Score (MCS), while older age was just a significant factor which has prognostic value for lower PCS. The results of this research may have a potential guiding significance for the clinical treatment strategy and improve the quality of life in patients with MG consequently. In addition to the treatment of physical symptoms, the psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression should be concerned as well.     

Autoimmunity in ocular and generalised myasthenia gravis

Restricted ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) and generalised myasthenia gravis (GMG) have been shown to differ in a number of respects. In OMG, anti-acetylcholine receptor, antistriational and antinuclear antibodies were rare relative to their frequency in GMG. In contrast, antithyroid antibodies and a history of thyroid disease were much more prevalent in OMG than in GMG. OMG was not associated with the female predominance seen in GMG and appeared to be relatively common in some races rather than others. It is suggested that different pathogenetic mechnisms are responsible for these two forms of MG.     

Ocular myasthenia gravis: predictive value of single-fiber electromyography.

Extraocular muscle weakness is the most common presenting sign of myasthenia gravis (MG). More than half of patients presenting with symptoms isolated to these muscles (OMG) develop generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) over the course of their illness. No clinical, laboratory, or electrophysiological features are recognized that identify these high-risk patients. We have therefore assessed the ability of single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG) to predict the development of GMG in patients presenting with OMG. Thirty-nine consecutive patients presenting with OMG underwent SFEMG of the extensor digitorum communis muscle as well as a battery of other laboratory and imaging studies at the time of diagnosis. All patients were followed prospectively for a minimum of 24 months or until they developed GMG. Two patients were excluded, leaving 37 for assessment. Twenty remained with pure OMG for the entire follow-up period (mean, 55 months). Twenty-six of the 37 had abnormal SFEMG studies at presentation. Eleven of these remained with OMG and 15 developed GMG. Fifty-eight percent of patients with an abnormal SFEMG developed GMG, whereas 82% of those with a normal study remained with OMG. Thus, a normal SFEMG was associated with MG remaining restricted to the extraocular muscles. (P = 0.036, Fisher's exact test), but an abnormal SFEMG was not predictive of subsequent development of GMG.     

放射免疫法定量检测乙酰胆碱受体抗体与重症肌无力患者临床特征的相关性

目的探讨乙酰胆碱受体抗体(AChR-Ab)与重症肌无力(MG)临床特征的相关性。方法采用放射免疫法检测115例MG患者及92例对照组(非MG神经系统疾病患者42例,健康体检者50名)血清AChRAb浓度,应用临床绝对评分记录MG患者病情严重程度。分析各组血清AChR-Ab浓度的差异,以及AChR-Ab浓度与MG患者临床特征的相关性。采用ROC工作特征曲线探讨AChR-Ab诊断MG的敏感度和特异度。结果MG患者血清AChR-Ab浓度中位数(四分位数间距,下同)为3.45(39.38)nmol/L,较非MG神经系统疾病患者[0(0)nmol/L]和健康体检者[0(0)nmol/L]增高(P0.01)。全身型MG(GMG)患者AChR-Ab浓度[25.45(46.14)nmol/L]较眼肌型MG(OMG)患者[0.58(3.56)nmol/L]增高(P0.01)。用ROC曲线法分析显示,以血清AChR-Ab浓度≥0.50nmol/L作为诊断MG界值时灵敏度为72.17%,特异度为100%,曲线下面积(AUC)=0.895(95%CI:0.849~0.941)。AChR-Ab浓度与发病年龄、病程及改良Osserman分型呈正相关(r=0.220,P0.05;r=0.184,P0.05;r=0.382,P0.01),但相关性较弱(均r0.5),与临床绝对记分无相关性(r=0.147,P0.05)。结论用放射免疫法检测血清AChR-Ab浓度诊断MG的灵敏度和特异度均高,有助于减少MG的漏诊率及误诊率,值得临床推广。     

眼肌型重症肌无力进展为全身型重症肌无力的临床相关因素分析

目的 :探讨眼肌型重症肌无力进展为全身型重症肌无力的临床相关预测因素。方法 :33例初诊为眼肌型重症肌无力的患者经过3年随访,根据疾病进展结局分为眼肌型重症肌无力组(13例)和进展为全身型重症肌无力组(20例)。对与疾病进展可能相关的临床因素进行分析。结果 :进展为全身型重症肌无力组患者初诊时的定量重症肌无力评分、乙酰胆碱受体抗体阳性率、抗核抗体阳性率、合并胸腺瘤的比例以及合并糖尿病的比例均高于眼肌型重症肌无力组(P值均0.05)。结论 :定量重症肌无力评分高、乙酰胆碱受体抗体阳性、抗核抗体阳性以及合并胸腺瘤和糖尿病可能是眼肌型重症肌无力进展为全身型重症肌无力的预测指标。     

Assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with myasthenia gravis in Belgrade (Serbia)

The aim of this study was to assess factors that might influence the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). A cross-sectional study was performed including 230 consecutive patients with MG. Severity of the disease was estimated according to the MGFA classification and QMG score. HRQoL was assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton rating scales for depression and anxiety, respectively. Social support was measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and acceptance of the disease by the Acceptance of Illness Scale. The significant demographic predictors of worse HRQoL in MG patients were older age (p?=?0.025) and lower education (p?=?0.012). Among clinical features, significant independent contributing factors of worse HRQoL were more severe form of the disease according to MGFA (p?=?0.001) and higher QMG score (p?=?0.001). Finally, psychosocial predictors of worse quality of life were lower MSPSS score (p?=?0.001), poor acceptance of the disease (p?=?0.001), as well as higher levels of anxiety and depression (p?=?0.001). Our study revealed that the HRQoL in patients with MG is similarly reduced in its psychological and physical aspects. These results may have a practical implication pointing out that different aspects of psychosocial support should be added to the regular therapeutic protocols.     

Evaluation of outcome measures for myasthenia gravis subgroups

IntroductionDisease evaluation and long-term follow-up of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients rely on disease-specific measures. We evaluated four widely used MG-specific assessments, and compared the response to disease change in different MG subgroups.MethodsWe used the Cronbach's α coefficient to test reliability, Pearson correlation coefficients to test construct validity, as well as one-way ANOVA and independent-sample t-tests to access discriminant validity. Analyses of similar items between QMG and MG-ADL included paired-sample t-tests and mean score comparisons. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to describe the correlation between changes of QMG, MG-ADL, MG-QOL15r and MGC. The Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test was performed to compare the outcomes.Results872 MG patients were enrolled. QMG, MG-ADL, MG-QOL15r, and MGC all exhibited high reliability. All four scales displayed good discriminant validity according to the MGFA classification and MGC score. MG-ADL showed significant differences between patients grouped by age and gender, and MG-QOL15r showed significant differences between patients grouped by age. Analyses of similar items showed that MG-ADL achieved higher scores in bulbar items, whereas QMG produced higher scores in limb items. For patients in remission or minimal manifestation status, QMG exhibited significantly greater improvement than MG-QOL15r. In patients of MGFA I, II, III, and IV, QMG showed significantly greater improvement than MG-ADL.ConclusionsPatient-reported scale is an important supplement for a given period. MG-ADL has a better response to severe disease, and MG-QOL15r is more comprehensive for patients in remission or minimal manifestation status.     

Factors affecting outcome in ocular myasthenia gravis

Aim of the study: 50%–60% of patients with ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) progress to generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) within two years. The aim of our study was to explore factors affecting prognosis of OMG and to test the predictive role of several independent clinical variables.

Materials and methods: We reviewed a cohort of 168 Caucasian patients followed from September 2000 to January 2016. Several independent variables were considered as prognostic factors: gender, age of onset, results on electrophysiological tests, presence and level of antibodies against acetylcholine receptors (AChR Abs), treatments, thymic abnormalities. The primary outcome was the progression to GMG and/or the presence of bulbar symptoms. Secondary outcomes were either achievement of sustained minimal manifestation status or worsening in ocular quantitative MG subscore (O-QMGS) or worsening in total QMG score (T-QMGS), assessed by Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) quantitative scores. Changes in mental and physical subscores of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed with SF-36 questionnaire. Variance analysis was used to interpret the differences between AChR Ab titers at different times of follow up among the generalized and non-generalized patients.

Results: Conversion to GMG occurred in 18.4% of patients; it was significantly associated with sex, later onset of disease and anti-AChR Ab positivity. Antibody titer above the mean value of 25.8 pmol/mL showed no significant effect on generalization. Sex and late onset of disease significantly affected T-QMGS worsening. None of the other independent variables significantly affected O-QMGS and HRQoL.

Conclusions: Sex, later onset and anti-AChR Ab positivity were significantly associated with clinical worsening.     

Ocular myasthenia gravis in a senior population: Diagnosis,therapy, and prognosis

The objectives of this study were (I) to explore the prognosis of ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) in patients with onset at age 70 years and above (i.e. senior persons); (2) to identify predictors of secondary generalization in this age group; and 3) to address the effects of immunotherapy on this population of patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of 39 patients with myasthenia gravis who presented with only ocular signs and symptoms after age 70 years. Generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) developed in 12 OMG patients (31%). None of the GMG patients required ventilator assistance or a feeding tube. Of the 12 ocular patients progressing to GMG, only one (8%) received immunotherapy prior to generalization. Of those OMG patients who did not progress to GMG, 52% received immunomodulatory therapy. Our senior OMG patients had a prognosis comparable with those of the published data for younger individuals. Although the presence of increased acetylceholine receptor antibody titers and occasionally abnormal repetitive nerve stimulation were useful tools to diagnose OMG, no test was predictive of later generalization. Senior onset OMG patients who received immunotherapy less frequently developed GMG than those not so treated. Muscle Nerve, 2010