Psychiatric disorders in myasthenia gravis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).

Method: Forty-one patients with MG answered to a structured psychiatric interview (MINI-Plus).

Results: Eleven (26.1%) patients were diagnosed with a depressive disorder and 19 (46.3%) were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Patients with dysthymia were older (p=0.029) and had longer disease duration (p=0.006). Patients with social phobia also had longer disease duration (p=0.039).

Conclusion: Psychiatric disorders in MG are common, especially depressive and anxiety disorders.