Minimal manifestation status and prednisone withdrawal in the MGTX trial

Ikjae Lee, Hui Chien Kuo, Inmaculada B. Aban, Gary R. Cutter, Tarrant McPherson, Henry J. Kaminski, Jon Sussman, Philipp Ströbel, Joel Oger, Gabriel Cea, Jeannine M. Heckmann, Amelia Evoli, Wilfred Nix, Emma Ciafaloni, Giovanni Antonini, Rawiphan Witoonpanich, John O. King, Said R. Beydoun, Colin H. Chalk, Alexandru C. BarboiAnthony A. Amato, Aziz I. Shaibani, Bashar Katirji, Bryan R.F. Lecky, Camilla Buckley, Angela Vincent, Elza Dias-Tosta, Hiroaki Yoshikawa, Marcia Waddington-Cruz, Michael T. Pulley, Michael H. Rivner, Anna Kostera-Pruszczyk, Robert M. Pascuzzi, Carlayne E. Jackson, Jan J.G. Verschuuren, Janice M. Massey, John T. Kissel, Lineu C. Werneck, Michael Benatar, Richard J. Barohn, Rup Tandan, Tahseen Mozaffar, Robin Conwit, Greg Minisman, Joshua R. Sonett, Gil I. Wolfe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine whether sustained minimal manifestation status (MMS) with complete withdrawal of prednisone is better achieved in thymectomized patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).MethodsThis study is a post hoc analysis of data from a randomized trial of thymectomy in MG (Thymectomy Trial in Non-Thymomatous Myasthenia Gravis Patients Receiving Prednisone Therapy [MGTX]). MGTX was a multicenter, randomized, rater-blinded 3-year trial that was followed by a voluntary 2-year extension for patients with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive MG without thymoma. Patients were randomized 1:1 to thymectomy plus prednisone vs prednisone alone. Participants were age 18-65 years at enrollment with disease duration less than 5 years. All patients received oral prednisone titrated up to 100 mg on alternate days until they achieved MMS, which prompted a standardized prednisone taper as long as MMS was maintained. The achievement rate of sustained MMS (no symptoms of MG for 6 months) with complete withdrawal of prednisone was compared between the thymectomy plus prednisone and prednisone alone groups.ResultsPatients with MG in the thymectomy plus prednisone group achieved sustained MMS with complete withdrawal of prednisone more frequently (64% vs 38%) and quickly compared to the prednisone alone group (median time 30 months vs no median time achieved, p < 0.001) over the 5-year study period. Prednisone-Associated adverse symptoms were more frequent in the prednisone alone group and distress level increased with higher doses of prednisone.ConclusionsThymectomy benefits patients with MG by increasing the likelihood of achieving sustained MMS with complete withdrawal of prednisone.Clinicaltrials.gov identifierNCT00294658.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class II evidence that for patients with generalized MG with AChR antibody, those receiving thymectomy plus prednisone are more likely to attain sustained MMS and complete prednisone withdrawal than those on prednisone alone.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E755-E766
JournalNeurology
Volume95
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 11 2020
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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