Association between Fatigue Level with Disease Severity in Myasthenia Gravis Patients

Abstract

Background: Fatigue is a common symptom and has a greater effect on daily living of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients than has muscle weakness. Latest evidence suggested that fatigue in MG negatively impact disease severity. The relationship between fatigue level with disease severity has never been explored in MG patients. Aims. The study aimed to determine the association between fatigue level and disease severity in myasthenia gravis patients at Dr. Soetomo Public Hospital Surabaya. Method. A cross-sectional was used in this research. Participants of the research were patients with myasthenia gravis in Neurology Clinic, Dr. Soetomo Public Hospital Surabaya. The period of data collection was from April to June 2021. Fatigue level measured with Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) questionaire and disease severity measured with Myasthenia Gravis Composite (MGC) score. Data analysed using SPSS version 22.0 with significances of p <0.05. Results. There were 37 participants consisted of 14 males and 23 females. Mean age of participants 45,03 ± 11,69. Mean age of onset was 40,38 ± 12,60. The mean FSS was 4,02 ± 1,93 and mean MGC was 5,24 ± 5,64. From all participants, we found that about 24 patients (64,9%) showed severe fatigue and 22 patients (58,5%) have severe disease status. The Chi-Square correlation test analysis indicates a significant association between FSS mean score and MGC mean score (p = 0.009, OR at 6,750) 95% CI (1,51-30,16). Conclusion.There was an association between fatigue level and disease severity in myasthenia gravis patients.