As a result of earlier diagnosis, more effective treatment and greater disease awareness, people living with myasthenia gravis (MG) can expect a normal or near-normal lifespan. However, unexpected complications such as a poor overall health, myasthenic crisis, respiratory failure, cardiovascular illness or infection can increase the risk of MG-related mortality.
How mortality rates in MG have changed
Decades ago, the prognosis for patients with MG wasn’t hopeful: in the 1940s and 1950s, the mortality rate was around 30%.
Thankfully, that’s no longer the case. While there is no cure for MG, in most cases, current treatments mean it doesn’t impact average life expectancy. Disease-specific mortality is now around 3%-4%.
Learn more about MG prognosis
What factors impact life expectancy in MG?
While average life expectancy is now common in people living with MG, it can be reduced by a number of contributing factors:
Time of diagnosis: Early diagnosis is important to ensure timely medical treatment to improve communication between the nerves and the muscles and boost muscle strength. Later diagnosis can mean that the deterioration of muscle strength has progressed.
Access to modern medical treatment options: Life expectancy has increased dramatically in recent times due to the development of treatments such as cholinesterase inhibitors, immunosuppressants, monoclonal antibodies, plasma exchange, IV immunoglobulin and thymectomy.
Disease type: Anti-muscle specific kinase (MuSK) antibody-associated MG tends to be more severe and progress more rapidly than anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-associated MG.
Overall state of health at diagnosis: Pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or other autoimmune diseases can impact the body’s ability to manage symptoms. These can mean the disease may progress more quickly.
Myasthenic crisis: This is a potentially life-threatening event that can lead to respiratory failure. Modern advances in emergency care have reduced the risk of mortality from myasthenic crisis.
Respiratory failure: Illnesses such as influenza, pneumonia, COVID-19 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be life-threatening as the respiratory muscles weaken.
Cardiovascular disease: Cardiovascular disorders are more common in late-onset MG and are often a cause of death in MG.
Infection: An increased vulnerability to infection and potentially sepsis in people with MG can trigger life-threatening crises. An infection following surgery to remove the thymoma is an example.
Living better and longer with MG
The progressive deterioration of muscle strength caused by MG can significantly impact quality of life. Receiving care from a specialist and proactively making changes to lifestyle and diet can slow disease progression, improve overall health and boost chances of a normal lifespan.
A consistent approach includes living a healthy, active life and regularly taking medication. Listen to your body, rest when necessary and adapt your schedule and ways of doing things.
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