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. 2020 Nov;10(11):e01819.
doi: 10.1002/brb3.1819. Epub 2020 Sep 1.

Epidemiology of Myasthenia Gravis in Sweden 2006-2016

Elisabet Westerberg  1 , Anna Rostedt Punga  1
Affiliations

Epidemiology of Myasthenia Gravis in Sweden 2006-2016

Elisabet Westerberg et al. Brain Behav. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Introduction: Reported incidence and prevalence rates of Myasthenia Gravis (MG) vary widely and are assumed to have increased over the last few decades. We conducted a nationwide register-based study on the current incidence and prevalence of MG and MG subgroups in Sweden.

Methods: Data were acquired from four Swedish Health Registers in order to identify patients with MG. Incidence and prevalence rates were calculated for the years 2006-2016, using population numbers provided by Statistics Sweden.

Results: In 2016, the incidence of MG in Sweden was 2.9 per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI: 2.5-3.2/100,000) and the crude prevalence was 36.1 per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI: 34.9-37.3). There was a significant increase in Myasthenia Gravis prevalence from 2006 to 2016. Prevalence rates of all MG subgroups but thymoma-associated MG increased over the same period of time.

Conclusions: The incidence and prevalence of Myasthenia Gravis have increased over time in Sweden, and the rates are high in comparison with other countries.

Keywords: Myasthenia Gravis; Sweden; neuroepidemiology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Incidence (a) and prevalence (b) rates of Myasthenia Gravis (MG) and MG subgroups in Sweden 2006–2016
Figure 2
Figure 2
Myasthenia Gravis incidence rates in the 21 Swedish counties 2006 and 2016
Figure 3
Figure 3
Myasthenia Gravis prevalence rates in the 21 Swedish counties 2006 and 2016
Figure 4
Figure 4
Prevalence rates of Myasthenia Gravis (MG, a) and MG subgroups (b–e) in all Sweden and the three largest regions (Stockholm, Malmö, and Gothenburg) 2006–2016
Figure 5
Figure 5
Proportion of women in Myasthenia Gravis (MG, a), as well as late‐onset MG (LOMG, b) and early‐onset MG (EOMG, c) in Sweden and the three largest regions (Stockholm, Malmö, and Gothenburg) 2006–2016
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