Acetylcholine receptor antibody in Thai generalized myasthenia gravis patients.

Journal article

The authors studied acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR Ab) in twenty-six Thai patients diagnosed as having generalized myasthenia gravis and fifteen control cases. AChR Ab assay was done by radio-immunoassay technique and reported by titer in nmole/L. The positive result was defined by titer more than 0.5 nmole/L. In the myasthenia gravis group, age ranged from 18 to 64 years old with mean of 34 years old. The female: male ratio was 4.2:1. Duration of disease before taking blood sample ranged from 1 month to 14 years with a mean of 3.9 year The AChR Ab could be detected in 21 out of 26 patients (80.7%). In the control group, tests were all negative. The results of the test made the sensitivity of 80.7% and specificity of 100%. The positive predictive value was 100%, the negative predictive value was 75%, and the prevalence was 60.3%. There was no correlation between AChR Ab titer and clinical features. This test is a very valuable test in case of uncertainly in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.

Authors: Jitpimolmard, S; Taimkao, S; Chotmongkol, V; Sawanyawisuth, K; Vincent, A

• Journal: Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet
• Volume: 89
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 68-71
• Publication date: 2006-01-01
• EISSN: 0125-2208
• ISSN: 0125-2208
• Language: English
• Keywords: Middle Aged; Receptors, Cholinergic; Adult; Predictive Value of Tests; Male; Cross-Sectional Studies; Myasthenia Gravis; Adolescent; Thailand; Sensitivity and Specificity; Prevalence; Female; Antibodies; Humans