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Vol 277 No 7430 p703-706
9 December 2006

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Continuing professional development

Management of myasthenia gravis

In this article, Susan Allen describes the symptoms of myasthenia gravis and what support pharmacists can give

Continuing professional development articles

Susan Allen, PgD(Comm), MRPharmS, is a freelance pharmaceutical writer and copy writer from Market Harborough, Leicestershire

Dr M. A. Ansary/Science Photo Library

Drooping eyelids and double vision

Figure 1: Drooping eyelids and double vision are common symptoms of myasthenia gravis

SUMMARY

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an auto-immune disorder causing impaired neuromuscular transmission in skeletal muscle. The term, derived from Greek and Latin, means grave (gravis) muscle weakness (myasthenia). MG can occur at any age, although it is rare under the age of 10 years. There are peak incidences between 10 and 30 years (where more women than men are affected) and 60 and 70 years (where more men are affected). The condition is not hereditary but genetic factors play a part and the risk of developing MG is slightly increased for close relatives of autoimmune disease sufferers.

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