The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australia's myasthenia gravis patients: A self-reported survey study.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Previous studies have demonstrated high morbidity and mortality in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) who acquired COVID-19. We aimed to identify the impact of the pandemic on MG disease control, treatment and quality of life.

METHODS

A prospective observational cohort study was conducted to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian patients with MG. We conducted an online survey through Myasthenia Alliance Australia from May 2022 to July 2022.

RESULTS

Among the 229 patients who responded to the survey, most patients had three (80; 34.9%) or four (116; 50.7%) doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, 65 (28.4%) had contracted COVID-19, with 6 patients (9.4%) requiring hospitalisation. A large proportion of patients responded that the pandemic had no impact on their MG disease control (123; 53.7%) or treatment (111; 48.5%). Most patients felt the pandemic had either a mild (111; 48.5%) or moderate (50; 21.8%) impact on their mood.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides a snapshot of the types of impacts experienced by myasthenic patients during the pandemic, in particular the psychosocial effects. As we continue to live with COVID-19, clinicians should consider its various impacts in the holistic management of their patients.