Clinical profile of myasthenia gravis in the Sultanate of Oman

Authors

• Poovathoor C. Jacob, Assistant Professor in Neurology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine PB35, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Fax. +968 513419. E-mail: jacobpc{at}omantel.net.om
• John T. Tharakan, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
• Pratap R. Chand, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
• Roshan L. Koul, Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
• Alexander P. Chacko, Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Clinical study and follow up of myasthenia gravis patients in Oman. METHODS: Follow up of 50 consecutive myasthenia gravis patients referred to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman for a median period of 3 years from 1997 to 2000. We based the diagnosis on the clinical picture, repetitive nerve stimulation tests and edrophonium test. We performed a computerized tomography scan of the chest and anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies. We reviewed the results of immuno modulatory treatment including thymectomy and compared these with other studies. RESULTS: Of 50 patients, 6 had purely ocular myasthenia. Of the 44 with generalized myasthenia, 28 had bulbar involvement and 12 required ventilatory support. Eight out of 29 thymectomized patients had drug free remission after 2 years. There was worsening of myasthenic symptoms in only one out of 8 pregnancies and deliveries. CONCLUSION: Bulbar and ventilatory involvement are more common in our series as compared with western data. Pregnancy and delivery were well tolerated.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

774

Last Page

775

Recommended Citation

Jacob, Poovathoor C.; Tharakan, John T.; Chand, Pratap R.; Koul, Roshan L.; and Chacko, Alexander P. (2003) "Clinical profile of myasthenia gravis in the Sultanate of Oman," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 24: Iss. 7, Article 15.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.2107