The analysis of quality of life using SF-36 among patients with myasthenia gravis in South Korea

Abstract

Purpose Patients with Myasthenia gravis (MG) have poor health related quality of life (HRQoL), which negatively affects their activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to analyze factors affecting HRQoL in patients with MG using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Methods We prospectively studied patients with confirmed diagnosis of MG. Patients, who presented to the neuromuscular outpatient clinic, at a Samsung medical center in South Korea in a four-month period. Severity of MG was assessed by the Myasthenia Gravis Composite Scale (MGCS) and HRQoL was assessed by the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and activities of daily living was assessed by the Korean version of Myasthenia Gravis-specific Activities of Daily Living scale (K-MG-ADL). Results A total of 120 patients with MG were invited to participate in the study. We analyzed the difference of SF-36 score according to demographic and clinical characteristics in our MG patients. Significant differences were found according to sex, career change, marital status, MG type, and thymoma. Conclusion By analyzing the specifics of the HRQoL, the current study demonstrated that this should be reflected in the treatment guidelines for MG patients.