Taoufik Boubga, Abdellah Taous, Maha Ait Berri, Tarik Boulahri
Journal: Medpeer Publisher
ISSN: 3066-2737
Volume: 2
Issue: 11
Date of Publication: 2025/11/02
Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an antibody-mediated neuromuscular disorder with evolving epidemiology and increasingly effective therapies, yet data from North Africa remain scarce.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed MG cases managed at the Neurology Department, Moulay Ismail Military Hospital (Meknès, Morocco) between March 2015 and March 2024. Demographic, clinical, electrophysiological, serological, imaging, treatment, and outcome data were extracted from standardized records.
Results: Thirty-three patients were included; 70% were female. Mean onset age was 34 years (1–55), and the median diagnostic delay 2 years 3 months. Ocular symptoms occurred in 87%, bulbar in 54%, limb-girdle in 39%, and respiratory in 18%; 42% were MGFA I. EMG showed a decrement in 48%. AChR antibodies were positive in 75%; anti-MuSK was negative in all eight tested. CT imaging was normal in 46%, showed thymoma in 36% and thymic hyperplasia in 18%. All received anticholinesterase therapy; 33% required corticosteroids, 15% additional immunosuppression, and 51% underwent thymectomy (6% with radiotherapy). IVIg was given for crises in 27%. Mean motor score rose from 68 to 90 over 4 years; 58% of ocular-onset cases generalized, and 13% required ICU care.
Conclusions: MG in this Moroccan cohort predominantly affected young women, presented mainly with ocular symptoms, showed a high thymoma rate, and achieved substantial functional recovery under standardized management. These findings refine regional epidemiology and emphasize earlier detection and structured long-term immunotherapy.
Myasthenia gravis; Epidemiology; Thymoma; Morocco
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