Remission And relapse of myasthenia gravis on long‐term azathioprine: An ambispective study. Issue 3 (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gupta, Anirban; Goyal, Vinay; Srivastava, Achal Kumar; Shukla, Garima; Behari, Madhuri
• Is Part Of: Muscle & nerve. Volume 54:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 405
• Page End: 412
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: azathioprine -- complete stable remission -- myasthenia gravis -- relapse -- remission -- side effects; Neuromuscular diseases -- Periodicals; Muscles -- Periodicals; Nerves -- Periodicals; 616.74
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.25052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-639X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Azathioprine (AZA) is commonly used in myasthenia gravis (MG). Treatment may be prolonged, entailing significant risks and avoidable costs. Methods: We reviewed remission, relapse, and side‐effect profiles in MG patients on AZA during treatment and after tapering off. We conducted an ambispective study and analyzed remission, relapse rates, and side‐effect profiles in 117 MG patients on AZA. Results: Thirty‐nine patients (33.3%) achieved remission, and 36 (30.8%) achieved complete stable remission (CSR), with a 33% relapse rate. No AZA side effects were seen in 95 (81%) patients. Only duration of disease of >10 years (odds ratio 9.5, 95% confidence interval 2.4–36.9, P = 0.001) was significantly associated with remission. Conclusions: AZA is well tolerated by MG patients, and about 30% go into CSR on long‐term AZA. Muscle Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve 54 : 405–412, 2016