Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: Classification, Clinical Presentation, Natural History, and Epidemiology

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare disease but the most common disorder of the neuromuscular junction. It is the prototypic autoimmune disease most commonly caused by antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) leading to characteristic fatigable weakness of the ocular, bulbar, respiratory, axial, and limb muscles. The majority of patients with MG first present with ocular symptoms. Most patients with MG experience at least 1 exacerbation of symptoms throughout the course of their illness. This article covers the epidemiology, clinical presentation, classification, and natural history of MG.