Spotlight on MuSK positive myasthenia gravis: clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes

BACKGROUND: To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes of patients with myasthenia gravis with antibodies to muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK-MG). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 21 patients with confirmed MuSK-MG between January 2012 and January 2020 in our centre. Detailed clinical data and long-term follow-up information were summarized. RESULTS: Females (17/21, 81%) predominated among these MuSK-MG patients, and the mean age of onset in this group was 51.86 ± 16.16 years. MuSK-MG patients were divided into three subgroups according to the symptoms of muscle weakness at onset: ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG, 47.6%), bulbar myasthenia gravis (BMG, 42.9%), and generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG, 9.5%). The mean progression time from symptom onset to other muscle group involvement in OMG patients was 4.38 ± 2.54 months. Pyridostigmine bromide was adopted in 81.0% of patients, and 90.5% of patients received corticosteroids. Compared to usage in hospitals, the median daily dose of corticosteroids decreased significantly at the last follow-up. A total of 85.7% of patients received a long-term follow-up, with an average time of 1202.17 ± 976.73 days. At the end of the follow-up period, 4.8% of patients had achieved complete stable remission, 42.9% of patients had minimal manifestations, 19.0% had improved, the condition of 4.8% of patients remained unchanged, and 9.5% of patients died. CONCLUSION: Female patients were more prevalent in this study, and MuSK-MG patients rapidly progressed to a generalized state. Although approximately 50% of MuSK-MG patients can achieve a favourable outcome with conventional immunosuppressants, complete stable remission is rare, and approximately 15% respond poorly. More effective medications should be explored in these patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12883-022-02593-6.