Abstract
Objectives Previous studies have demonstrated high morbidity and mortality in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) who acquired COVID-19. We aim to provide an up to date perspective of the various impacts of COVID-19 in our population.
Methods A prospective observational cohort study was conducted to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australian patients with MG. We conducted an online survey through Myasthenia Alliance Australia from May 2022 to July 2022, focusing on the impact of the pandemic on MG disease control, treatment, quality of life and the mental health of patients.
Results Among the 229 patients who responded to the survey, 221 (96.5%) had received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, 65 (28.4%) had contracted COVID-19, with 7 patients (10.8%) requiring hospitalisation and one patient (1.5%) requiring ICU admission. A large proportion of patients responded that the pandemic had no impact on their MG disease control (123; 54%) or treatment (111; 48%). Most patients (128; 76.2%) felt the pandemic had at least a mild impact on their mood.
Conclusion Our study provides a snapshot of the types of impacts experienced by myasthenic patients during the pandemic. In addition to a hospitalisation rate of 10.8%, our cohort self-reported substantial psychological impacts, which was independent of acquiring COVID.
