The humanistic burden of myasthenia gravis: A systematic literature review

Background/objectives: While the clinical manifestations of myasthenia gravis (MG) are well understood, its humanistic impact is not. The objective of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the humanistic burden of MG with regards to psychological symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) according to patients and caregivers. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on December 27, 2019, in MEDLINE and Embase to identify Englishlanguage studies that were published from January 1, 2009-December 27, 2019 and presented relevant information on the humanistic burden among adults with MG and their caregivers. Title/abstract and full-text screening was performed by two investigators, with any discrepancies resolved by a third investigator. Results: Sixty-seven publications were included in the SLR. Compared with the general population, patients with MG experienced worse HRQoL. Studies reporting on psychological symptoms of MG, including depression, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep, were heterogeneous in terms of the scales and instruments used to assess patients, as well as the patient populations themselves. However, in general those with more severe symptoms and hospitalization days had worse depression and anxiety, and fatigue and sleep improved with disease remission and/or improvement. Scores were worse for females compared with males and where evaluated, HRQoL scores generally improved following treatment. Conclusion: While the literature demonstrates that symptoms associated with MG get better with disease improvement and remission, additional options in efficacious therapy that adequately address the disease-related symptoms and also improve HRQoL may contribute to beneficial outcomes in a greater number of patients with MG.

Automated summary

This systematic literature review aimed to explore the humanistic burden of myasthenia gravis (MG) on patients and caregivers in terms of psychological symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The review found that patients with MG had worse HRQoL compared to the general population. Studies on psychological symptoms showed that more severe symptoms and longer hospitalization days were associated with worse depression and anxiety, while fatigue and sleep improved with disease remission and/or improvement.