Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis: 10-Year Review at USM Hospital
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis: A 10-year Review of Cases at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
Julieana Muhammed, Chui Yin Chen, Wan Hazabbah Wan Hitam, Mohamad Ziyadi Ghazali
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis: A 10-year Review of Cases at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
Year: 2016 | Doi: 10.21315/mjms2016.23.4.10
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by varying degrees of weakness in skeletal muscles. The complexity of this condition is rooted in its pathophysiology, where antibodies impair neuromuscular transmission. A thymectomy, which is the surgical removal of the thymus gland, is recognized as an effective treatment for MG, often combined with immunosuppressive therapies. The present study investigates the clinical outcomes of MG patients who underwent thymectomy at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) over a decade and seeks to identify prognostic factors influencing these outcomes.
Clinical Outcomes of Thymectomy
In this retrospective study involving 16 MG patients, the results indicated a high remission/improvement rate of 87.5% post-thymectomy, while only 12.5% experienced unchanged or worsened symptoms. Factors such as age, gender, histology of the thymus, and Osserman classification—an established method for staging severity—did not show significant statistical correlation with outcomes. Notably, all patients with lower Osserman stages achieved remission or improvement, whereas those with advanced stages exhibited poorer outcomes. Post-operative complications were minimal, with one case of mortality due to septic shock highlighting the need for careful post-operative management.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that thymectomy is a viable surgical option for managing MG, yielding favorable clinical improvements and low morbidity rates. This study contributes essential insights into the effectiveness of thymectomy in the Malaysian context, revealing that most patients benefit significantly from the procedure. However, the small sample size and retrospective nature of the study underscore the necessity for larger, multi-center research endeavors to validate these results and assess the long-term benefits of thymectomy across diverse demographics.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the purpose of a thymectomy for myasthenia gravis?
A thymectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the thymus gland, which can be effective in treating myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disorder. This procedure aims to improve patients' symptoms and overall clinical outcomes.
What were the demographics of patients in the thymectomy study?
The study involved 16 patients aged 22 to 78 years, predominantly Malays (81%). Among them, 10 were male and 6 were female, reflecting the demographic composition of the region where the study was conducted.
What were the clinical outcomes after thymectomy in the study?
The study reported an 87.5% rate of remission or improvement among patients, with only 12.5% classified as unchanged or worsened post-surgery. The outcomes indicate that thymectomy can be beneficial for MG patients.
What factors did not significantly affect clinical outcomes after thymectomy?
Factors such as thymoma presence, histology features, Osserman stage, and follow-up duration did not show a significant impact on clinical outcomes in the study, suggesting the benefits of surgery may be more generalized.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis: 10-Year Review at USM Hospital”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Study (Studying):
The keyword 'study' pertains to a systematic investigation aimed at understanding a specific medical condition, in this case, myasthenia gravis (MG). This research elucidates the outcomes of thymectomy in MG patients in Malaysia, providing insights into efficacy, recovery patterns, and the demographic variables influencing patient response to surgical intervention.
2) Table:
The presence of 'table' within the document refers to organized data representing key findings visually. Tables in research papers serve to summarize critical information effectively, allowing readers to digest quantitative outcomes, patient demographics, and clinical presentations at a glance, thereby enhancing the comprehension and impact of the data collected.
3) Disease:
The term 'disease' refers to myasthenia gravis in this context, which is an autoimmune disorder characterized by muscle weakness. Understanding diseases is vital for developing effective treatments, assessing prognosis, and conducting research. The study aims to explore surgical options and their impact on disease management within a specific population.
4) Male:
The word 'male' indicates the gender of the patients involved in the study. Gender can influence the manifestation of symptoms and treatment responses in many diseases, including myasthenia gravis. In this study, analyzing the male to female ratio provides insights into demographic characteristics and potential differential outcomes based on gender.
5) Post:
The keyword 'post' refers to the period following the thymectomy surgery. Post-operative care and outcomes are critical to understanding the overall effectiveness of surgical interventions. Examining post-surgery results helps evaluate the therapeutic success and patient quality of life in managing myasthenia gravis post-thymectomy.
6) Indian:
The reference to 'Indian' highlights the demographic aspect of the study population in Malaysia, where Indian individuals comprise a small minority. Analyzing ethnic backgrounds can unveil disparities in disease prevalence, genetic predispositions, or cultural attitudes toward treatment, which can influence research findings and their generalizability to diverse populations.
7) Rules:
The term 'rules' may refer to the standard protocols governing clinical research and ethical guidelines when conducting patient studies. Compliance with established rules ensures valid conclusions, protects participant rights, and enhances the credibility of the research, fostering trust in the findings and recommendations aimed at improving patient care.
8) Pain:
The word 'pain' relates to the physical suffering experienced by patients with myasthenia gravis, which can significantly impact their quality of life. Investigating pain levels is crucial in clinical studies to assess treatment effectiveness, guide therapeutic decisions, and personalize patient care, ensuring comprehensive management of their symptoms.
9) Mason:
The name 'Mason' refers to a contributing author or researcher associated with past studies on thymectomy for myasthenia gravis. Recognizing influential figures in the literature aids in understanding the evolution of treatment guidelines and clinical recommendations in the field while highlighting the collaboration across studies that enriches academic discourse.
10) Valli:
The name 'Valli' pertains to another significant contributor to previous research on myasthenia gravis. Acknowledging authors and their research enhances credibility in a current study, indicating that insights drawn upon may build on a robust foundation of prior work, shaping current understanding and treatment practices for myasthenia gravis.
11) Death:
The term 'death' is crucial in clinical research as it encapsulates the ultimate outcome of health interventions and potential risks involved in surgeries. The study reflects on postoperative mortality cases to comprehend risks, inform surgical protocols, and enhance patient selection for thymectomy in individuals with myasthenia gravis.
12) Kara:
The name 'Kara' represents an author whose work is referenced in the context of myasthenia gravis research. Collaboration among researchers, exemplified by references to varied authors, allows for a multifaceted understanding of disease management and promotes the integration of diverse findings into current therapeutic practices.
13) Drug:
The term 'drug' is associated with the medications used to manage myasthenia gravis symptoms pre- and post-thymectomy. Understanding the role of pharmacotherapy is essential to evaluating comprehensive treatment approaches and ensuring the optimization of patient outcomes, particularly when combined with surgical interventions in chronic conditions.
14) Transmission:
The word 'transmission' refers to the neuromuscular transmission impaired in myasthenia gravis, central to its pathophysiology. Studying the mechanisms of transmission failure helps in developing targeted therapies and elucidating how treatments can restore neuromuscular function, critical for improving patient management and developing new therapeutic strategies.
15) Controversy:
The keyword 'controversy' highlights ongoing debates in medical literature regarding the indications for surgery, especially in ocular myasthenia gravis. Acknowledging controversies is essential in clinical research as it drives further investigation, influences practices, and ultimately shapes patient management and treatment options through evidence-based consensus.
16) Discussion:
The term 'discussion' signifies a critical section in any research paper where authors analyze findings, contextualize results, and draw connections to existing literature. It emphasizes the importance of interpretation in understanding clinical outcomes, exploring limitations, and proposing future research directions that can impact practice in clinical settings.
17) Science (Scientific):
The word 'science' represents the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation. In medical research, including myasthenia gravis studies, science is pivotal for uncovering mechanisms of disease, evaluating treatment efficacy, and improving patient care by contributing to evidence-based medical practice.
18) Reason:
The term 'reason' relates to the rationale behind conducting research or adopting specific treatment protocols. In the context of clinical studies, providing valid reasons for patient selection, treatment choices, and procedural methodologies enhances the transparency of the research process, promoting trust and understanding within the broader medical community.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis: 10-Year Review at USM Hospital’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Surgical intervention, Treatment modalities, Morbidity, Associated conditions, Autoimmune disease, Follow up study, Follow Up Period, Clinical presentation, Therapeutic outcome, Long-term follow-up, Treatment outcome, Clinical improvement, Retrospective study, Oral medication, Surgical approach, Immunological role, Risk factor, Myasthenia Gravis, Neuromuscular junction, Septic shock, Clinical outcome, Respiratory failure, Multi-centre study, Prognostic Factor, Post-operative mortality, Clinical symptom, Thymectomy, Surgical morbidity, Neuromuscular transmission.
Concepts being referred in other categories, contexts and sources.