COVID-19 pandemic challenged mood of myasthenia gravis patients
Outbreak of the virus had little effect on disease treatment, management
The COVID-19 pandemic caused emotional challenges for many people with myasthenia gravis (MG) in Australia, but how well their disease was treated or how well their symptoms were kept under control weren’t affected, a survey study finds.
“As we continue to live with COVID-19, clinicians should consider its various impacts in the holistic management of their patients,” the researchers wrote.
The study, “The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australia’s myasthenia gravis patients: A self-reported survey study,” was published in Neurological Sciences.
MG occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks proteins required for the communication between nerve and muscle cells, leading to symptoms of muscle weakness and fatigue. Studies show that COVID-19, an infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, may worsen MG symptoms and prolong hospital stays.
Pandemic’s effect on emotional well-being
Here, researchers assessed how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the way MG symptoms were treated and how well patients’ daily lives were affected. Patients were invited to take part in an online survey through Myasthenia Alliance Australia from May to July 2022.
The survey was completed by 229 patients. Most (85.2%) had generalized MG, a type of MG marked by widespread muscle weakness, and more than half (54.1%) were between 60-80 years of age. Nearly two-thirds (65.1%) were women.
Of the 229 patients, 80 (34.9%) received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and 116 (50.7%) received four doses. Sixty-five (28.4%) patients had COVID-19 and six (9.4%) were admitted to the hospital due to symptoms. One (1.5%) needed support to help with breathing.
While some reports indicated that getting vaccinated may cause new symptoms, “in those who reported contracting SARS-CoV-2, the infection itself was milder than previously reported in countries where [COVID-19] was often contracted pre-vaccination,” the researchers wrote.
About half the patients said the pandemic didn’t affect how well their MG was controlled (53.7%) or how it was treated (48.5%). Many said the pandemic had a mild (48.5%) or moderate (21.8%) impact on their mood, however. This agrees with studies that show “worsening mental health and quality of life scores due to the pandemic, including in myasthenic patients,” the researchers wrote, noting that “questions about mood and mental health were central parts of the survey.”
More than half the patients (57.6%) had fewer in-person medical appointments, opting instead on telehealth or phone calls. Some (18.3%) said they skipped medical appointments due to fear of COVID-19, which was their biggest concern overall (52.8%).
The findings show that, while treatment and disease control stayed stable for most, the COVID-19 pandemic caused emotional challenges. The results underscore the importance of mental health in managing chronic diseases like MG, said the researchers, who noted that as COVID-19 continues to circulate, doctors should focus on both the physical and emotional well-being of patients.
“This study provides insights into the experience of the pandemic for Australia’s MG [patients] and offers healthcare professionals a greater understanding when caring for these patients,” the researchers wrote.
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