Quality-of-Life Burdens of Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis imposes substantial quality-of-life burdens encompassing physical limitations, psychosocial impacts, and treatment-related adverse effects that significantly affect patient well-being. The disease’s characteristic fatigable weakness creates unpredictable functional limitations that may not be apparent during clinical examinations but profoundly impact daily activities. Patients frequently cannot sustain normal activities such as walking across parking lots, climbing stairs, or maintaining employment, leading to social isolation and reduced independence despite appearing relatively normal at rest.

The bimodal age distribution of myasthenia gravis creates distinct burden patterns, with younger patients facing challenges related to career development, family responsibilities, and educational pursuits, while older patients contend with diagnostic delays due to comorbidities masking symptoms. Delayed diagnosis, averaging 6 months to over a year, compounds these burdens by prolonging disability and uncertainty. The disease carries increased rates of depression and anxiety, creating emotional and social burdens that extend beyond physical symptoms to affect family members and caregivers.

Current disease classification systems inadequately capture the true impact on quality of life, as even “mild” symptoms such as diplopia can devastate function in professions requiring precise vision. Studies suggest physicians may underestimate disease impact, potentially leading to suboptimal treatment decisions. The goal has evolved beyond basic symptom control toward achieving minimal symptom expression, allowing patients to resume normal activities and maintain employment. Comprehensive assessment using tools such as the MG-ADL scale, combined with detailed patient interviews about functional limitations, provides better insight into true disease burden than traditional clinical measures alone.