Abstract
Myasthenia gravis is a heterogeneous, autoimmune disorder, which leads to a limited or outright blocked neuromuscular transmission. Clinical symptoms include muscle weakness and increased fatigability.
The prevalence is between 190 and 240 per million, with younger women and older men being affected more often. From the point owf view of immunopathology, a distinction can be made between the seropositive form characteristic by production of antibodies against acethylcholine receptors and hyperplasia of the thymus, and a separate type of the illness for which an atrophied thymus is typical.
In some patients, it is possible to prove the presence of antibodies against muscle-specific tyrosinase. Paraneoplastic myasthenia associated with the thymus is specific to this illness.
In 15 – 20 % of the patients, no antibodies are detectable. Diagnosing myasthenia gravis is based on a clinical examination, measuring the levels of antibodies and an electrophysiological examination.
Therapy can be either symptomatic, or oriented on pathogenicity. Thymectomy is recommended in some patients.
Correct management of the illness is important and constant medical surveillance is necessary.