Epidemiología de la miastenia gravis en la provincia de Ourense (Galicia, noroeste de España) / Epidemiology of myasthenia gravis in the province of Ourense (Galicia, Spain)

Introducción: La miastenia gravis (MG) es un enfermedad autoinmune que afecta a la transmisión nerviosa a nivel de la unión neuromuscular causando debilidad muscular típicamente fluctuante. Los estudios epidemiológicos constatan un aumento de las tasas de prevalencia de la MG y es especialmente evidente en la población anciana.ObjetivoRealizar un estudio epidemiológico retrospectivo para conocer las tasas de incidencia y prevalencia en la provincia de Ourense (Galicia) caracterizada por el envejecimiento poblacional.Material y métodosLos pacientes fueron reclutados de nuestra base de datos clínica de enfermedades neuromusculares y a través de la búsqueda de pacientes con prescripción activa de bromuro de piridostigmina. La tasa de incidencia se estimó entre los años 2009-2018. Se estableció la fecha de prevalencia al 31/12/2018. El censo de la provincia de Ourense al 1/1/2019 era de 307.651 habitantes, de los que 96.544 (31,4%) tenían una edad ≥ de 65 años.ResultadosSe identificaron 80 casos de MG. La prevalencia fue de 260 casos/1.000.000 habitantes (IC95%: 202,7-316,4), y en la población ≥ 65 años de 517,9/1.000.000 habitantes (IC95%: 363,2-672,9). La incidencia acumulada en el periodo de estudio fue de 15,4 casos/1.000.000 habitantes-año. El inicio precoz (≤ 50 años) ocurrió en el 29,1% de los casos.ConclusiónLa prevalencia de la MG en nuestra área sanitaria es de las más altas entre las cifras previamente reportadas, y es una enfermedad muy prevalente en la población anciana. (AU)

Introduction: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease affecting nerve transmission at the level of the neuromuscular junction, and typically causes fluctuating muscle weakness. Epidemiological studies show an increase in MG prevalence, particularly among the older population.ObjectiveWe performed a retrospective epidemiological study to determine the incidence and prevalence of MG in the province of Ourense (Galicia, Spain), characterised by population ageing.Material and methodsPatients were selected from our clinical neuromuscular diseases database by searching for patients with an active prescription for pyridostigmine bromide. Incidence was estimated for the period 2009-2018. We calculated prevalence at 31/12/2018. According to census data for the province of Ourense, the population on 1/1/2019 was 307,651, of whom 96,544 (31.4%) were aged ≥ 65 years.ResultsWe identified 80 cases of MG, with a prevalence rate of 260 cases/1 000 000 population (95% CI, 202.7-316.4), rising to 517.9/1 000 000 population in those aged ≥ 65 (95% CI, 363.2-672.9). Cumulative incidence in the study period was 15.4 cases per 1 000 000 person-years. Early onset (≤ 50 years) was recorded in 29.1% of cases.ConclusionThe prevalence of MG in our health district is one of the highest published figures, and the disease is highly prevalent in the older population. (AU)

Epidemiology of myasthenia gravis in the province of Ourense (Galicia, Spain).

INTRODUCTION: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease affecting nerve transmission at the level of the neuromuscular junction, and typically causes fluctuating muscle weakness. Epidemiological studies show an increase in MG prevalence, particularly among the older population. OBJECTIVE: We performed a retrospective epidemiological study to determine the incidence and prevalence of MG in the province of Ourense (Galicia, Spain), characterised by population ageing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were selected from our clinical neuromuscular diseases database by searching for patients with an active prescription for pyridostigmine bromide. Incidence was estimated for the period 2009-2018. We calculated prevalence at 31/12/2018. According to census data for the province of Ourense, the population on 1/1/2019 was 307 651, of whom 96 544 (31.4%) were aged ≥ 65 years. RESULTS: We identified 80 cases of MG, with a prevalence rate of 260 cases/1 000 000 population (95% CI, 202.7-316.4), rising to 517.9/1 000 000 population in those aged ≥ 65 (95% CI, 363.2-672.9). Cumulative incidence in the study period was 15.4 cases per 1 000 000 person-years. Early onset (≤ 50 years) was recorded in 29.1% of cases. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MG in our health district is one of the highest published figures, and the disease is highly prevalent in the older population.

[Clinical and radiological effectiveness of natalizumab extended dosage interval in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis]. / Efectividad clínica y radiológica del intervalo extendido de dosis con natalizumab en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple recurrente.

INTRODUCTION: Natalizumab (NTZ) is a very effective treatment approved for highly active multiple sclerosis. The main risk of treatment with NTZ is the possibility of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, which is related to JC virus positivity and the number of NTZ infusions. This risk decreases with the extended dosage interval (EDI), which involves 9 or fewer infusions/year. However, it is a matter of controversy as to whether EDI remains effective in reducing recurrences and the presence of new lesions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted from 1 April 2019 to 30 June 2021, following up patients on NTZ treatment who switched to EDI. Patients should have at least one MRI six months after the start of EDI. The presence of attacks or MRI activity (new lesions in T2) during the EDI was recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with a mean age of 43.5 ± 9.4 years were included. The median number of NTZ infusions was 68 (minimum, 25; maximum, 127). The median interval between the start of the EDI and the last MRI was 14 months (minimum, 6; maximum, 25), and 23 months from the last medical follow-up visit (minimum, 7; maximum, 28). Two patients (8.7%) presented with attacks and two others (8.7%) showed MRI activity. CONCLUSIONS: EDI with NTZ maintains high clinical and activity effectiveness in MRI.

TITLE: Efectividad clínica y radiológica del intervalo extendido de dosis con natalizumab en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple recurrente.Introducción. El natalizumab (NTZ) es un tratamiento de alta eficacia aprobado para la esclerosis múltiple de alta actividad. El principal riesgo del tratamiento con NTZ es la posibilidad de desarrollar una leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva, que está en relación con la positividad al virus JC y el número de infusiones del NTZ. Este riesgo disminuye con el intervalo extendido de dosis (IED), lo que supone 9 infusiones/año o menos. Sin embargo, es materia de controversia si el IED mantiene la efectividad sobre la reducción de las recurrencias y la presencia de nuevas lesiones en la resonancia magnética (RM). Pacientes y métodos. Se ha realizado un estudio observacional prospectivo desde el 1 de abril de 2019 hasta el 30 de junio de 2021, siguiendo a los pacientes en tratamiento con NTZ que se pasaron al IED. Los pacientes deberían tener al menos una RM a los seis meses del inicio del IED. Se registró la presencia de brotes o de actividad en la RM (nuevas lesiones en T2) durante el IED. Resultados. Se incluyó a 23 pacientes con una media de edad de 43,5 ± 9,4 años. La mediana de infusiones de NTZ fue de 68 (mínimo, 25; máximo, 127). La mediana del intervalo entre el inicio del IED y la última RM fue de 14 meses (mínimo, 6; máximo, 25), y de 23 meses respecto a la última visita de seguimiento médico (mínimo, 7; máximo, 28). Dos pacientes (8,7%) presentaron brotes y otros dos pacientes (8,7%) presentaron actividad en la RM. Conclusiones. El IED de NTZ mantiene una alta efectividad clínica y de actividad en la RM.

Efectividad clínica y radiológica del intervalo extendido de dosis con natalizumab en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple recurrente / Clinical and radiological effectiveness of natalizumab extended dosage interval in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis

Introducción: El natalizumab (NTZ) es un tratamiento de alta eficacia aprobado para la esclerosis múltiple de alta actividad. El principal riesgo del tratamiento con NTZ es la posibilidad de desarrollar una leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva, que está en relación con la positividad al virus JC y el número de infusiones del NTZ. Este riesgo disminuye con el intervalo extendido de dosis (IED), lo que supone 9 infusiones/año o menos. Sin embargo, es materia de controversia si el IED mantiene la efectividad sobre la reducción de las recurrencias y la presencia de nuevas lesiones en la resonancia magnética (RM). Pacientes y métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio observacional prospectivo desde el 1 de abril de 2019 hasta el 30 de junio de 2021, siguiendo a los pacientes en tratamiento con NTZ que se pasaron al IED. Los pacientes deberían tener al menos una RM a los seis meses del inicio del IED. Se registró la presencia de brotes o de actividad en la RM (nuevas lesiones en T2) durante el IED. Resultados: Se incluyó a 23 pacientes con una media de edad de 43,5 ± 9,4 años. La mediana de infusiones de NTZ fue de 68 (mínimo, 25; máximo, 127). La mediana del intervalo entre el inicio del IED y la última RM fue de 14 meses (mínimo, 6; máximo, 25), y de 23 meses respecto a la última visita de seguimiento médico (mínimo, 7; máximo, 28). Dos pacientes (8,7%) presentaron brotes y otros dos pacientes (8,7%) presentaron actividad en la RM. Conclusiones: El IED de NTZ mantiene una alta efectividad clínica y de actividad en la RM.(AU)

Introduction: Natalizumab (NTZ) is a very effective treatment approved for highly active multiple sclerosis. The main risk of treatment with NTZ is the possibility of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, which is related to JC virus positivity and the number of NTZ infusions. This risk decreases with the extended dosage interval (EDI), which involves 9 or fewer infusions/year. However, it is a matter of controversy as to whether EDI remains effective in reducing recurrences and the presence of new lesions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients and methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from 1 April 2019 to 30 June 2021, following up patients on NTZ treatment who switched to EDI. Patients should have at least one MRI six months after the start of EDI. The presence of attacks or MRI activity (new lesions in T2) during the EDI was recorded. Results: Twenty-three patients with a mean age of 43.5 ± 9.4 years were included. The median number of NTZ infusions was 68 (minimum, 25; maximum, 127). The median interval between the start of the EDI and the last MRI was 14 months (minimum, 6; maximum, 25), and 23 months from the last medical follow-up visit (minimum, 7; maximum, 28). Two patients (8.7%) presented with attacks and two others (8.7%) showed MRI activity. Conclusions: EDI with NTZ maintains high clinical and activity effectiveness in MRI.(AU)

Epidemiology of myasthenia gravis in the province of Ourense (Galicia, Spain). / Epidemiología de la miastenia gravis en la provincia de Ourense (Galicia, noroeste de España).

INTRODUCTION: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease affecting nerve transmission at the level of the neuromuscular junction, and typically causes fluctuating muscle weakness. Epidemiological studies show an increase in MG prevalence, particularly among the older population. OBJECTIVE: We performed a retrospective epidemiological study to determine the incidence and prevalence of MG in the province of Ourense (Galicia, Spain), characterised by population ageing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were selected from our clinical neuromuscular diseases database by searching for patients with an active prescription for pyridostigmine bromide. Incidence was estimated for the period 2009-2018. We calculated prevalence at 31/12/2018. According to census data for the province of Ourense, the population on 1/1/2019 was 307,651, of whom 96,544 (31.4%) were aged ≥ 65 years. RESULTS: We identified 80 cases of MG, with a prevalence rate of 260 cases/1 000 000 population (95% CI, 202.7-316.4), rising to 517.9/1 000 000 population in those aged ≥ 65 (95% CI, 363.2-672.9). Cumulative incidence in the study period was 15.4 cases per 1 000 000 person-years. Early onset (≤ 50 years) was recorded in 29.1% of cases. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MG in our health district is one of the highest published figures, and the disease is highly prevalent in the older population.