OBJECTIVE

To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of myasthenia gravis (MG) in the Altai region (AR).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty-two patients with a verified diagnosis of MG, living in the AR, took part in the study. To collect data, a questionnaire was developed, the data of which formed the basis for the study. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistica 12 program (Stat. Soft, Inc.).

RESULTS

The group of patients studied makes up 14—28% of the expected number of patients with MG in AR. In general, patients with late onset of the disease predominated in the group (71 people versus 51). A predominance of women was revealed in the group with an early onset of the disease, while in the group with a late onset the ratio of men and women levels out. The identification of two peaks in the age of onset of the disease in women, which was not observed in the group of men, was a feature of the clinical course of MG in AR. In the study group, the generalized form of MG was more common; the onset of the disease in most patients began with weakness of the external eye muscles. In most patients, MG was associated with antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor, but seronegative cases were also noted. A rarer frequency of thymus pathology has been established. An analysis was carried out of the factors that preceded the onset of MG, among which the most common was viral infection.

CONCLUSION

The clinical and epidemiological features of MG in AR are described. Further monitoring of clinical and epidemiological data on MG in AR will make it possible to clarify the regional characteristics of risk factors for the development and course of the disease.