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01-12-2020 | Myasthenia Gravis | Research

Gender differences in quality of life among patients with myasthenia gravis in China

Authors: Dong Dong, Marc Ka-chun Chong, Yushan Wu, Henry Kaminski, Gary Cutter, Xianhao Xu, Haifeng Li, Chongbo Zhao, Jian Yin, Siyue Yu, Jianfeng Zhu

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Myasthenia gravis (MG), a chronic neuromuscular disorder, can adversely affect patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL), especially in women. The study aimed to evaluate the difference in HRQoL of women and men MG patients and explore the factors that mediate the relationship between gender and HRQoL.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1815 patients with MG in China. The revised 15-item MG quality of life scale (MG-QOL15r) was used to access patients’ HRQoL in overall, physical, social and emotional domains. Socio-demographic information, diagnosis and treatment history, comorbidities, social support, active lifestyle and the MG activities of daily living scale (MG-ADL) were recorded and compared between women and men using the Student’s t-test and Pearson’s Chi-square test. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to identify independent contributors to HRQoL, especially those affecting different gender.

Results

On average, female patients with MG reported a lower MG-QOL15r score than the males (44.49 ± 29.10 vs 49.32 ± 29.18). The association between gender and patients’ HRQoL interacted with the number of comorbidities across the overall, physical and social domains of patients. As the number of comorbidities increased, the scores of HRQoL decreased and it was faster among females than the males (p < 0.05). Moreover, unemployment, exacerbation of the disease, and active lifestyle contributed to the patients’ HRQoL across all domains. Unemployment (β = − 4.99 [95%CI, − 7.80 to − 2.18], p < 0.001) and exacerbations (β = − 8.49 [95%CI, − 11.43 to − 5.54], p < 0.001) were correlated with poorer HRQoL; while an active lifestyle had a positive impact on HRQoL (β = 0.28 [95%CI, 0.16 to 0.40], p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The results indicate that the HRQoL of women MG patients was lower than that of men. The relationship between gender and HRQoL is modulated by the number of comorbidities. Thus, to improve the HRQoL of women MG patients, symptomatic treatments might not be enough, their comorbid conditions should be considered as well. Additionally, employment status, MG exacerbations, and an active lifestyle have been found as determining factors of the patients’ HRQoL, which suggests future interventions should cope with these factors to improve their quality of life.

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Title: Gender differences in quality of life among patients with myasthenia gravis in China
Authors: Dong Dong
Marc Ka-chun Chong
Yushan Wu
Henry Kaminski
Gary Cutter
Xianhao Xu
Haifeng Li
Chongbo Zhao
Jian Yin
Siyue Yu
Jianfeng Zhu
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Myasthenia Gravis
Thymectomy
Thymectomy
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-01549-z

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Gender differences in quality of life among patients with myasthenia gravis in China

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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