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Sleep Related Conditions with Myasthenia Gravis: Evidence, Causes and Implications

Received: 15 August 2015    Accepted: 17 August 2015    Published: 08 September 2015
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Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease caused mainly by antibodies against skeletal muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) at the postsynaptic membrane resulting in depletion of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Muscle fatigue is the cardinal symptom of MG. Respiratory muscle weakness and breathing problems are manifestations of MG even in mild stages of the disease resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Also sleep related conditions are among the manifestations of MG which include sleep disordered breathing (SDB) [i.e. central (CSA) and obstructive (OSA) sleep apneas, hypoventilation or hypoxemic syndromes], reduced sleep efficiency and quality, increased number of nocturnal awakenings, excessive daytime sleepiness, reduced rapid eye movement sleep and altered sleep perception and dreaming. On the other hand, sleep abnormalities may result in lack of concentration, cognitive impairments and mood disturbances as depression and anxiety. Central and peripheral mechanisms have been suggested for the association between MG and central nervous system manifestations and sleep abnormalities. Neurologists and sleep medicine professionals should be aware of the associations between OSA/CSA, hypoventilation and other sleep related conditions with MG and consider systematic investigations including polysomnography and ventilatory support. This will reduce morbidity and mortality and improve quality of lives of patients with MG.

DOI 10.11648/j.sjph.s.2016040201.12
Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 4, Issue 2-1, April 2016)

This article belongs to the Special Issue Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systemic Disease

Page(s) 6-16
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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Myasthenia Gravis, Neuromuscular Diseases, Sleep Disordered Breathing, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Central Sleep Apnea, Hypoventilation

References
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  • Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt

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    Sherifa Ahmed Hamed. (2015). Sleep Related Conditions with Myasthenia Gravis: Evidence, Causes and Implications. Science Journal of Public Health, 4(2-1), 6-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.s.2016040201.12

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    Sherifa Ahmed Hamed. Sleep Related Conditions with Myasthenia Gravis: Evidence, Causes and Implications. Sci. J. Public Health 2015, 4(2-1), 6-16. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.s.2016040201.12

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    AMA Style

    Sherifa Ahmed Hamed. Sleep Related Conditions with Myasthenia Gravis: Evidence, Causes and Implications. Sci J Public Health. 2015;4(2-1):6-16. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.s.2016040201.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjph.s.2016040201.12,
      author = {Sherifa Ahmed Hamed},
      title = {Sleep Related Conditions with Myasthenia Gravis: Evidence, Causes and Implications},
      journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {4},
      number = {2-1},
      pages = {6-16},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.s.2016040201.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.s.2016040201.12},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.s.2016040201.12},
      abstract = {Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease caused mainly by antibodies against skeletal muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) at the postsynaptic membrane resulting in depletion of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Muscle fatigue is the cardinal symptom of MG. Respiratory muscle weakness and breathing problems are manifestations of MG even in mild stages of the disease resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Also sleep related conditions are among the manifestations of MG which include sleep disordered breathing (SDB) [i.e. central (CSA) and obstructive (OSA) sleep apneas, hypoventilation or hypoxemic syndromes], reduced sleep efficiency and quality, increased number of nocturnal awakenings, excessive daytime sleepiness, reduced rapid eye movement sleep and altered sleep perception and dreaming. On the other hand, sleep abnormalities may result in lack of concentration, cognitive impairments and mood disturbances as depression and anxiety. Central and peripheral mechanisms have been suggested for the association between MG and central nervous system manifestations and sleep abnormalities. Neurologists and sleep medicine professionals should be aware of the associations between OSA/CSA, hypoventilation and other sleep related conditions with MG and consider systematic investigations including polysomnography and ventilatory support. This will reduce morbidity and mortality and improve quality of lives of patients with MG.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Sleep Related Conditions with Myasthenia Gravis: Evidence, Causes and Implications
    AU  - Sherifa Ahmed Hamed
    Y1  - 2015/09/08
    PY  - 2015
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.sjph.s.2016040201.12
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    JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
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    AB  - Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease caused mainly by antibodies against skeletal muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) at the postsynaptic membrane resulting in depletion of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Muscle fatigue is the cardinal symptom of MG. Respiratory muscle weakness and breathing problems are manifestations of MG even in mild stages of the disease resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Also sleep related conditions are among the manifestations of MG which include sleep disordered breathing (SDB) [i.e. central (CSA) and obstructive (OSA) sleep apneas, hypoventilation or hypoxemic syndromes], reduced sleep efficiency and quality, increased number of nocturnal awakenings, excessive daytime sleepiness, reduced rapid eye movement sleep and altered sleep perception and dreaming. On the other hand, sleep abnormalities may result in lack of concentration, cognitive impairments and mood disturbances as depression and anxiety. Central and peripheral mechanisms have been suggested for the association between MG and central nervous system manifestations and sleep abnormalities. Neurologists and sleep medicine professionals should be aware of the associations between OSA/CSA, hypoventilation and other sleep related conditions with MG and consider systematic investigations including polysomnography and ventilatory support. This will reduce morbidity and mortality and improve quality of lives of patients with MG.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 2-1
    ER  - 

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