Introduction: Although thymectomy is an important therapeutic option for myasthenia gravis (MG), factors predicting remission after thymectomy are not well known.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Ab)-positive MG who had undergone thymectomy. Prognostic factors predicting remission were investigated. Changes in AChR-Ab titer before and after thymectomy were also evaluated.
Results: Among the 179 patients, 52.5% achieved complete stable or pharmacologic remission. Nonthymomatous pathology and mild preoperative status were favorable predictors of remission. The decrease in AChR-Ab titer after thymectomy was significant in nonthymomatous MG but not in thymomatous MG.
Discussion: Nonthymomatous pathology and mild preoperative status are prognostic factors that may predict remission after thymectomy. The decrease in AChR-Ab titer after thymectomy was significant in nonthymomatous MG but not in thymomatous MG, suggesting that the pathogenic role of the thymus differs according to pathology. Muscle Nerve 58:796-800, 2018.
Keywords: acetylcholine receptor antibody; myasthenia gravis; prognostic factors; thymectomy; thymic pathology; thymoma.
© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.