Content area
Full Text
Abstract & Commentary
By Michael Rubin, MD , Professor of Clinical Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Rubin reports no financial relationships relevant to this field of study.
Synopsis: Clinical examination severity appears to be the best predictor of response to immunotherapy in patients with myasthenia gravis.
Source: Katzberg HD, et al. Predictors of response to immunomodulation in patients with myasthenia gravis. Muscle Nerve 2012;45;648-652.
W hich factors predict a positive response to intrave nous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or plasma exchange (PLEX) in a patient with myasthenia gravis (MG)? To address this question, data were collected from two trials comparing IVIG or PLEX to placebo, that included patients 18 years or older, with a quantitative MG score of 10.5 or greater, whose weakness worsened and thus required alteration of treatment, as determined by a neuromuscular expert. MG diagnosis was based on clinical evaluation and positive findings on repetitive nerve stimulation studies and single fiber electromyography. Negative antibody studies...