Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in a cohort of myasthenia gravis patients in India

OBJECTIVE: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness due to immune mediated damage of acetylcholine receptor (AchR). COVID-19 infection, mental stress and non-availability of drugs following lockdown may worsen myasthenic symptoms. We report the impact of COVID 19, and lockdown on the physical and mental health, and quality of sleep in a cohort of MG. METHODS: Thirty-eight MG patients were telephonically interviewed 2months after the declaration of lockdown in India. The difficulty in procuring drugs, complications, and worsening in the MG Foundation of America (MGFA) stage were noted. The patients were enquired about MG Quality of Life 15 (MGQOL15), MG Activity of Daily Living (MGADL), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) using a prefixed questionnaire. Their pre-COVID parameters were retrieved from our earlier trial data, which was completed 4months back. The scores of the above mentioned parameters before and after COVID were compared. RESULTS: Their median age was 45 years, and the median duration of treatment for MG was 4.5years. Eleven (28.9 %) patients were hypertensive and 3(7.9 %) diabetic. All were on prednisolone and 18(47.4 %) received azathioprine. None developed COVID, but three had other infections. Two patients needed hospitalization because of wrong medication in one and severe anxiety-insomnia in another. Following COVID19 and lockdown, MG patients had worsening in MGQOL15, MGADL, HADS and PSQI scores. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score correlated with MGQOL15 and dose of acetylcholine esterase inhibitors. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 and lockdown were associated with anxiety, depression, poor MGQOL and sleep especially in severe MG patients.