Illness perception characteristics and influencing factors in adult patients with myasthenia gravis in China

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the illness perception characteristics of patients with myasthenia gravis and analyze the associated factors. METHODS: A general information questionnaire, Illness Perception Questionnaire, and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire were used to survey 90 patients with myasthenia gravis. One‐way analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The timeline (acute/chronic), consequence, and emotional representation scores of patients with myasthenia gravis were 18.31 ± 4.47, 18.58 ± 3.57, and 20.80 ± 4.56, respectively. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis showed that marital status, disease duration, educational level, disease type, and coping style are factors associated with illness perception in patients with myasthenia gravis. CONCLUSION: Patients who have myasthenia gravis have a negative illness perception. Medical professionals should provide targeted intervention measures based on the factors associated with illness perception.