Mortality in Myasthenia Gravis in Denmark From 1985 to 2020: A Population-Based Cohort Study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Mortality in Myasthenia Gravis in Denmark From 1985 to 2020

T2 - A Population-Based Cohort Study

AU - Nielsen, Josefine Jul Jarbæk

AU - Levison, Lotte

AU - Andersen, Henning

PY - 2025/6

Y1 - 2025/6

N2 - ObjectivesMyasthenia gravis (MG) is a life-threatening disease associated with elevated mortality, primarily in the first years after diagnosis. We determined short-term (<1 year) and long-term (1-5 years) mortality for patients with MG compared with the general population.MethodsUsing nationwide health registers, we identified patients with MG and matched 1:10 with the general population by age, sex, and diagnostic index date from 1985 to 2020. We calculated matched hazard ratios (HRs) using Cox regression analysis, stratified by sex, age, period, and baseline comorbidities, and performed comorbidity-adjusted analyses.ResultsOur cohort encompassed 2,110 patients (50.2% female) and 21,100 from the general population, with 77.3% aged younger than 75 years. Short-term cumulative mortality was 4.8% in patients with MG and 2.6% in the general population, yielding a HR of 1.8 (95% CI 1.5-2.3). Long-term mortality was 1.3 (95% CI 1.1-1.5). Short-term mortality rose from 2015 to 2020, especially in patients aged 75 years or older (HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.8-3.6). Comorbidity-adjusted analyses decreased short-term mortality (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-2.0), and long-term mortality aligned with the general population.DiscussionMG mortality remains elevated, especially in the first year after diagnosis in older patients, underlining the importance of early intervention and close monitoring.

AB - ObjectivesMyasthenia gravis (MG) is a life-threatening disease associated with elevated mortality, primarily in the first years after diagnosis. We determined short-term (<1 year) and long-term (1-5 years) mortality for patients with MG compared with the general population.MethodsUsing nationwide health registers, we identified patients with MG and matched 1:10 with the general population by age, sex, and diagnostic index date from 1985 to 2020. We calculated matched hazard ratios (HRs) using Cox regression analysis, stratified by sex, age, period, and baseline comorbidities, and performed comorbidity-adjusted analyses.ResultsOur cohort encompassed 2,110 patients (50.2% female) and 21,100 from the general population, with 77.3% aged younger than 75 years. Short-term cumulative mortality was 4.8% in patients with MG and 2.6% in the general population, yielding a HR of 1.8 (95% CI 1.5-2.3). Long-term mortality was 1.3 (95% CI 1.1-1.5). Short-term mortality rose from 2015 to 2020, especially in patients aged 75 years or older (HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.8-3.6). Comorbidity-adjusted analyses decreased short-term mortality (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-2.0), and long-term mortality aligned with the general population.DiscussionMG mortality remains elevated, especially in the first year after diagnosis in older patients, underlining the importance of early intervention and close monitoring.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105007361588

U2 - 10.1212/WNL.0000000000213745

DO - 10.1212/WNL.0000000000213745

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 40460351

AN - SCOPUS:105007361588

SN - 0028-3878

VL - 104

JO - Neurology

JF - Neurology

IS - 12

M1 - e213745

ER -