A series of patients with refractory myasthenia gravis

Introduction: Advances in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) have improved quality of life and prognosis for the majority of patients. However, 10%–20% of patients present refractory MG, with frequent relapses and significant functional limitations. Patients and methods: Patients with refractory MG were selected from a cohort of patients diagnosed with MG between January 2008 and June 2019. Refractory MG was defined as lack of response to treatment with prednisone and at least 2 immunosuppressants, inability to withdraw treatment without relapse in the last 12 months, or intolerance to treatment with severe adverse reactions. Results: We identified 84 patients with MG, 11 of whom (13%) met criteria for refractory MG. Mean (standard deviation) age was 47 (18) years; 64% of patients with refractory MG had early-onset generalised myasthenia (as compared to 22% in the group of patients with MG; P