Quality of Life of Myasthenia Gravis Patients
Kongkiat Kulkantrakorn MD*, Wiwat Jarungkiatkul MD*
Affiliation : * Neurology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumtani, Thailand
Objective : To investigate the impact of myasthenia gravis (MG) on the quality of life (QOL) of MG patients.
Material and Method: QOL was assessed with SF-36 questionnaire.
Results : Thirty-one patients participating in the present study, 74.2% female, with an average age of 44.9 years old. From the
SF-36 questionnaire, emotional well being had the lowest score while other components were in average or high range.
Ocular and mild generalized MG had better physical functioning than moderate generalized MG. With treatment, those who
had no or minimal symptoms had better QOL in both physical and mental aspects. Immunosuppressant was not associated
with poor QOL.
Conclusion : QOL of Thai MG patients is better than Westerners. However, MG still has significant impact to both physical
and mental aspects. More emphasis is needed for mental aspects. The degree of disease control is very important in QOL and
the use of immunosuppressant does not impair QOL.
Keywords : Quality of life, Myasthenia gravis, Thai, Disease control, SF-36
