FATIGUE AND
MUSCLE
WEAKNESS

The majority of patients with gMG report fatigue and muscle weakness among the most important symptoms to control1

The majority of patients with gMG report fatigue and muscle weakness among the most important symptoms to control1

FATIGUE

In a real-world study,

~50% of patients

with gMG experienced fatigue.2*

*Based on a US-based point-in-time survey of 78 MG-treating physicians and their patients (N=456) between March 2020 and July 2020.2

The daily unpredictability of fatigue symptoms makes it a key challenge that impacts patients physically, socially, and psychologically.3,4

Patients with gMG can experience both general physical fatigue and muscle fatigability5

General physical fatigue is subjective4-6:

  • Lack of energy
  • Global feeling of exhaustion
  • Interferes with mental or physical activities

Muscle fatigability is objective5:

  • Measurable change in muscle strength
  • Symptoms develop or worsen during sustained activity

"When I fall asleep, my battery will never get fully charged… It’s just kind of like a base level of exhaustion and fatigue when I wake up.” – Patient living with gMG

BULBAR MUSCLE WEAKNESS

Symptoms involving weakness of the bulbar muscles are reported as some of the most troublesome symptoms of gMG7†

~15%

Approximately 15% of patients with gMG present with bulbar symptoms.8

Symptoms of bulbar muscle weakness include7:

  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Choking
  • Speech impairment
  • Voice changes
  • Trouble aspirating saliva

“It just exhausts my mouth, and my tongue just feels heavy, and I just start slurring my words.” – Patient living with gMG

Based on interviews with 12 adults at least 18 years of age with confirmed diagnosis of gMG between July 2021 and September 2021.7

OCULAR MUSCLE WEAKNESS

Ocular symptoms, like ptosis and diplopia, are usually the first to present in patients with MG — the majority of these patients progress to gMG9

43%

In one study, 43% of patients reported blurry or double vision as the most bothersome symptom of gMG.4‡

Ocular symptoms can have a significant impact on daily activities and quality of life, including9,10: 

  • Ability to drive
  • Employment
  • Social life
  • Hobbies

I gave up driving...because I decided it wasn't real safe to drive around like this holding an eyelid up.” – Patient living with gMG

Based on a US-based qualitative, cross-sectional, non-interventional study using in-depth, individual interviews of 28 people aged 18 years or older living with gMG.4

gMG=generalized myasthenia gravis; MG=myasthenia gravis.

References:

  1. Data on file. UCB, Inc., Smyrna, GA.
  2. Mahic M, Bozorg AM, DeCourcy JJ, et al. Physician-reported perspectives on myasthenia gravis in the United States: a real-world survey. Neurol Ther. 2022;11(4):1535-1551. doi:10.1007 /s40120-022-00383-3
  3. Law N, Davio K, Blunck M, et al. The lived experience of myasthenia gravis: a patient-led analysis. Neurol Ther. 2021;10(2):1103-1125. doi:10.1007/s40120-021-00285-w
  4. Jackson K, Parthan A, Lauher-Charest M, et al. Understanding the symptom burden and impact of myasthenia gravis from the patient's perspective: a qualitative study. Neurol Ther. 2023;12(1):107-128. doi:10.1007/s40120-022-00408-x
  5. Tran C, Bril V, Katzberg HD, et al. Fatigue is a relevant outcome in patients with myasthenia gravis. Muscle Nerve. 2018;58(2):197-203. doi:10.1002/mus.26069
  6. Ruiter AM, Verschuuren JJGM, Tannemaat MR. Fatigue in patients with myasthenia gravis. A systematic review of the literature. Neuromuscul Disord. 2020;30(8):631-639. doi:10.1016/j.nmd.2020.06.010
  7. Hartford CA, Sherman SA, Karantzoulis S, et al. Experience of daily life with generalized myasthenia gravis: a qualitative investigation and assessment of instrument content validity. Neurol Ther. 2023;12(6):2079-2099. doi:10.1007/s40120-023-00544-y
  8. Basiri K, Ansari B, Okhovat AA. Life-threatening misdiagnosis of bulbar onset myasthenia gravis as a motor neuron disease: how much can one rely on exaggerated deep tendon reflexes. Adv Biomed Res. 2015;4:58. doi:10.4103/2277-9175.151874
  9. Farrugia ME, Goodfellow JA. A practical approach to managing patients with myasthenia gravis–opinions and a review of the literature. Front Neurol. 2020;11:604. doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.00604
  10. Meisel A, Saccà F, Spillane J, et al; MG Collegium Sub-committee. Expert consensus recommendations for improving and standardising the assessment of patients with generalised myasthenia gravis. Eur J Neurol. 2024;31(7):e16280. doi:10.1111 /ene.16280

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