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COVID-19 pandemic year in a sample of Polish myasthenia gravis patients: an observational study
Affiliations- Department of Neurology, 10th Military Research Hospital and Polyclinic, Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Sanitas - Neurology Outpatient Clinic, Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Department of Exercise Physiology and Functional Anatomy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland
open access
Abstract
Aim of the study: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence, mortality, recovery and hospitalisation rates vary in different countries. This study aimed to present the clinical characteristics of a sample of unvaccinated Polish myasthenia gravis (MG) patients during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account the number of MG exacerbations, a detailed description of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection course, and the need to modify immunosuppressive therapies. Clinical rationale for the study: To assess the impact of the first COVID-19 pandemic year on MG course in a sample of unvaccinated patients.
Materials and methods: A retrospective observational study involving 30 unvaccinated Polish MG patients consulted in a neurological outpatient clinic on 11-31 March, 2020 (baseline) and 11-31 March, 2021 (endpoint).
Results: During the period of evaluation, exacerbation of MG requiring hospitalisation was reported in 11 patients. Among them, four were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and another six required plasma exchange. In the study group, COVID-19 was identified in 10 patients. Of them, seven experienced a mild course of SARSCoV-2 infection with spontaneous recovery. In the remaining three patients, both MG exacerbation and SARS-CoV-2 infection were reported. These patients experienced MG exacerbation in the preceding month or concurrently with COVID-19 and were aged over 50 years. Due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection, they required antibiotic and oxygen therapy, and hospitalisation was necessary in the case of two obese patients. None of the patients died due to COVID-19, and nor did any require discontinuation of immunosuppressive therapies during the study period. In total, 12 patients in the study group experienced neither MG exacerbation nor SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Conclusions: In the presented sample of Polish MG patients, favourable outcomes of COVID-19 were observed. Further studies are needed to evaluate the reliable course of COVID-19 taking into account international differences, the types of treatment applied, and the ratio of vaccinated to unvaccinated MG patients.
Abstract
Aim of the study: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence, mortality, recovery and hospitalisation rates vary in different countries. This study aimed to present the clinical characteristics of a sample of unvaccinated Polish myasthenia gravis (MG) patients during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account the number of MG exacerbations, a detailed description of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection course, and the need to modify immunosuppressive therapies. Clinical rationale for the study: To assess the impact of the first COVID-19 pandemic year on MG course in a sample of unvaccinated patients.
Materials and methods: A retrospective observational study involving 30 unvaccinated Polish MG patients consulted in a neurological outpatient clinic on 11-31 March, 2020 (baseline) and 11-31 March, 2021 (endpoint).
Results: During the period of evaluation, exacerbation of MG requiring hospitalisation was reported in 11 patients. Among them, four were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and another six required plasma exchange. In the study group, COVID-19 was identified in 10 patients. Of them, seven experienced a mild course of SARSCoV-2 infection with spontaneous recovery. In the remaining three patients, both MG exacerbation and SARS-CoV-2 infection were reported. These patients experienced MG exacerbation in the preceding month or concurrently with COVID-19 and were aged over 50 years. Due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection, they required antibiotic and oxygen therapy, and hospitalisation was necessary in the case of two obese patients. None of the patients died due to COVID-19, and nor did any require discontinuation of immunosuppressive therapies during the study period. In total, 12 patients in the study group experienced neither MG exacerbation nor SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Conclusions: In the presented sample of Polish MG patients, favourable outcomes of COVID-19 were observed. Further studies are needed to evaluate the reliable course of COVID-19 taking into account international differences, the types of treatment applied, and the ratio of vaccinated to unvaccinated MG patients.
Keywords
myasthenia gravis, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, pandemic, immunosuppression
About this articleTitle
COVID-19 pandemic year in a sample of Polish myasthenia gravis patients: an observational study
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Article type
Research Paper
Pages
61-67
Published online
2021-08-03
Page views
6202
Article views/downloads
1086
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2022;56(1):61-67.
Keywords
myasthenia gravis
COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
pandemic
immunosuppression
Authors
Łukasz Rzepiński
Monika Zawadka-Kunikowska
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