Shahriar Nafissi
1* , Ali Asghar Okhovat
1,2 , Farnaz Sinaei
1, Behnaz Ansari
3, Hormoz Ayramloo
4, Keyvan Basiri
3, Reza Boostani
5, Bahram Haghi Ashtiani
6, Payam Sarraf
7, Farzad Fatehi
1 1 Neurology Department, Shariati Hospital, Iranian Neuromuscular Research Center (INMRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Neurology Department, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Neurology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4 Department of Neurology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
5 Neurology Department, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
6 Department of Neurology, Firoozgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
7 Neurology Department, Imam-Khomeini Complex Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
*Corresponding Author: *Corresponding Author: Shahriar Nafissi, MD; Neuromuscular Department, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Tel:+98-21-84902224; Fax:+98-21 88633039; Email: nafisi@tums.ac.ir, , Email:
nafissishahriar@gmail.com
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an immune-mediated potentially treatable disease in which rapid diagnosis and proper treatment can control symptoms. Treatment should be individualized in each patient according to distribution (ocular or generalized) and severity of the weakness, antibody status, thymus pathology, patient comorbidities, and preferences. A group of Iranian neuromuscular specialists have written these recommendations to treat MG based on national conditions. Four of the authors performed an extensive literature review, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, from 1932 to 2020 before the central meeting to define headings and subheadings. The experts held a 2-day session where the primary drafts were discussed point by point. Primary algorithms for the management of MG patients were prepared in the panel discussion. After the panel, the discussions continued in virtual group discussions, and the prepared guideline was finalized after agreement and concordance between the panel members. Finally, a total of 71 expert recommendations were included. We attempted to develop a guideline based on Iran’s local requirements. We hope that these guidelines help healthcare professionals in proper treatment and follow-up of patients with MG.