Myasthenia gravis in the elderly

Myasthenia gravis (MG) in the elderly is an autoimmune disease of neuromuscular synaptic transmission impairment. The main clinical feature is that affected striated muscles are prone to fatigue, and symptoms can be alleviated after rest or with anticholinesterase drugs. Onset after age 45 (including elderly patients over 60) is more common in males and is often associated with thymoma. The main clinical feature is that affected striated muscles are prone to fatigue, and symptoms can be alleviated after rest or with anticholinesterase drugs. Myasthenia gravis is a polygenic disease. It is currently believed that anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies and antibody-mediated humoral immunity as well as T cell-mediated cellular immunity are the main pathogenic mechanisms. The thymus is the major factor in activating and maintaining the autoimmune response in myasthenia gravis. Genetic and environmental factors are also closely related to the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis.