[Non-Motor Symptoms in Myasthenia Gravis: Attributed to T-Cell Clones From Thymoma].
[Non-motor Symptoms in Myasthenia Gravis: Attributed to T-cell Clones from Thymoma].
Brain Nerve. 2013 Apr; 65(4): 477-83
Suzuki S
Abstract Autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG) comprises a broad spectrum of non-motor symptoms. Patients with MG sometimes have psychiatric symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, which impair their quality of life. However, these symptoms are not principally immune-mediated. Moreover, some patients with MG have additional autoimmune disorders. The clinical manifestations of these diseases are also considered non-motor symptoms, even though the autoimmune mechanisms underlying the association between MG and these disorders are not fully understood. In this review, we clarify that the non-motor symptoms of autoimmune disorders are attributed to abnormal T-cell clones from thymomas. We review the clinical characteristics of patients with MG and associated thymomas who exhibit non-motor symptoms based on previously reported cases and our multicenter cooperative study. CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity against hematopoietic precursor cells in the bone marrow and unidentified autoantigens in hair follicles result in the development of pure red cell aplasia, immunodeficiency, and alopecia areata. In contrast, neuromyotonia, limbic encephalitis, myocarditis, and taste disorders are autoantibody-mediated disorders, as is MG. Autoantibodies to several types of voltage-gated potassium channels and related molecules can evoke various neurological and cardiac disorders. Approximately 25% of patients with MG and associated thymomas experience at least one non-motor symptom. Non-motor symptoms affect many target organs and result in a broad disease spectrum, ranging from the impairment of quality of life to lethal conditions. HubMed – depression
Poor psychological wellbeing particularly in mothers following sudden cardiac death in the young.
Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2013 Apr 8;
Yeates L, Hunt L, Saleh M, Semsarian C, Ingles J
Aims:Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the young is a devastating event and often due to an underlying genetic heart disease. Managing these families is complicated by uncertainty regarding clinical management and profound grief. This study sought to evaluate psychological wellbeing and experiences of at-risk relatives following SCD in the young.Methods:Relatives who attended a specialized clinic following the SCD of a relative were invited to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a series of open-ended questions. Primary outcome measures were the HADS anxiety and depression subscales and a thematic qualitative analysis of the open-ended responses was performed. Clinical and genetic data were collected from the medical record.Results:Fifty relatives from 29 families returned surveys. The mean time since death was 4±2 years (mean age at death 23±10 years, 79% males). There was significant impairment in mean anxiety (8.7±4.3, p<0.0001) and depression (5.8±3.6, p<0.0001) scores compared to the general population. Mothers showed significantly impaired anxiety (10.9±4.0, p=0.001) and depression (7.3±3.3, p=0.001) scores, with 53% having an anxiety score above 11 suggesting probable anxiety disorder. Participants revealed a number of factors that have helped and hindered their ability to cope with the death, and their decisions relating to clinical screening.Conclusion:The SCD of a young relative has significant and long-term emotional implications for the family, particularly for the mother. HubMed – depression
Catatonia, major depression and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in an elderly patient.
Australas Psychiatry. 2013 Apr; 21(2): 181-2
Singh D, Williams O