Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Although there is a predictable relationship between psychiatric symptoms and myasthenia gravis, surprisingly few studies have evaluated this correlation. We investigated the symptoms of anxiety and depression in generalized myasthenic patients using practical psychiatric scales and aimed to emphasize the need for clinical awareness.

METHODS

Thirty patients (21 women), between 48-59 years of age were included in the study. The depression and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS) and the Beck Depression Scale (BDS). The correlation between the scores and age, gender, disease duration, intensive care unit experience, medications being used and the frequency of admission to a medical center were analyzed.

RESULTS

The BAS and BDS scores were found to be higher than the normal ranges in >50 of the whole patient group (56% and 60%, respectively). One third of all the patients required medical psychiatric treatment. The disease duration (RS: 0.68 and 0.56,p=0.016, for BAS and BDS,respectively), admission rate (RS: 0.66 and 0.46, p<0.001) and hospitalization (RS: 0.64 and 0.48, p<0.001for BAS and BDS,respectively) were statistically significantly related with the BAS and BDS scores.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The symptoms of anxiety and depression may easily mask the myasthenic symptoms, especially early in the disease course leading to delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of myasthenia gravis. Furthermore, these symptoms may mimic the myasthenic symptoms in the disease course leading to over-treatments. Thus, the use of practical psychiatric scales in routine visits would help in deciding the specific treatment strategies and to improve the quality of life.