Myasthenia gravis generates fluctuating muscle weakness with fatigability, related to dysfunction of the neuromuscular junction. The rapid onset of motor deterioration and respiratory and bulbar difficulties (dyspnea, congestion, pulmonary aspiration, etc.) characterize a myasthenic crisis.
This is a life-threatening emergency that requires intensive care hospitalization. This event triggers post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in more than half (51.5%) of patients, according to a study conducted in China in 134 adults with myasthenia gravis. They responded to a questionnaire (Impact of Event Scale – Revised or IES-R) one year after their episode of respiratory failure. The authors of this work did not find any difference between the two groups (PTSD and non PTSD) in terms of gender, age, income, history of intubation or the number of episodes of insufficiency. respiratory. They stress the need for early detection of PTSD in this population in order to optimize the chances of its management being effective.
