Association of Myasthenia Gravis and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

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Introduction: Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) frequently accompanies myasthenia gravis (MG). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical and serological features of MG associated with AITD. Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with MG between 2012 and 2016 were followed. All patients’ clinical and demographic features were analyzed, and acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChRAb) and antimicrosomal antibody were evaluated. There were 30 (21 female and nine male) patients suffering from MG. Age range was 13–78 years. Age range at disease onset was 11–75 years. Duration of disease range was 1–38 years. Results: Of the 30 patients, 17 (56.7%) were positive for AChRAb, and 7 (23%) were positive for antimicrosomal antibody. Among 17 AChRAb (+) patients, both diagnoses of generalized (14/23 (60.9%)) and ocular (3/7 (42.9%)) myasthenia were present. Of the 17 AChRAb (+) patients, 6 were also positive for antimicrosomal antibody. All seven antimicrosomal antibody (+) patients had generalized myasthenia. Discussion and Conclusion: It is really important to think coexisting MG in patients with autoimmune disorders and neuromuscular weakness. The presence of AChRAb in patients with MG is associated with a frequent risk for other autoimmune diseases.