AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION

Patients make modifications frequently to help themselves cope with the daily challenges of gMG. These challenges may include walking, daily chores, and even eating.

Communicating with patients about the modifications they make in response to their symptoms can help you stay on top of their current condition.

 

TALKING POINTS

During regular appointments with your patients, the following talking points may help you see the true burden of their gMG:

  • Discuss how they navigate their daily lives, including any modifications made.
  • Probe deeper into specific symptoms, such as muscle fatigue or generalized fatigue, that interrupt daily life. Be on the lookout for the impact of gMG on social life, family or work responsibilities, and general depression or anxiety.
  • Review or conduct an MG-ADL questionnaire with your patients. Ask if they track their MG-ADL scores from week to week using the gMG Patient Journal.
importantpatient

AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION

Patients make modifications frequently to help themselves cope with the daily challenges of gMG. These challenges may include walking, daily chores, and even eating. 

Communicating with patients about the modifications they make in response to their symptoms can help you stay on top of their current condition.

    importantpatient

    TALKING POINTS

    During regular appointments with your patients, the following talking points may help you see the true burden of their gMG:

    • Discuss how they navigate their daily lives, including any modifications made.
    • Probe deeper into specific symptoms, such as muscle fatigue or generalized fatigue, that interrupt daily life. Be on the lookout for the impact of gMG on social life, family or work responsibilities, and general depression or anxiety.
    • Review or conduct an MG-ADL questionnaire with your patients. Ask if they track their MG-ADL scores from week to week using the gMG Patient Journal.

    GET A COMPLETE PICTURE OF PATIENT BURDEN

    DISEASE BURDEN

    See how gMG can impact patients’ physical, personal, and professional lives.

     70%

    of patients with gMG have difficulty walking24
    (n=1518)

    UP TO 70%

    of patients with gMG find it challenging to do household chores like cleaning and vacuuming22,23
    (n=190)

     
     ~40%

    of patients have difficulty chewing and swallowing, which can lead to nutrition and weight issues24
    (n=1518)

     
     33%

    of patients have difficulty driving due to vision problems and arm weakness23
    (n=190)

     48%

    of patients with MG-ADL scores of 6 and above feel like their ability to perform daily routines is considerably impaired8
    (n=190)

     75%

    of patients followed over 4 decades reported moderate to severe weakness4
    (n=609)

     72%

    of patients with gMG experience fatigue. It is associated with higher disease severity, higher rates of depression, and lower quality of life.25
    (N=116)

    42%

    of patients with gMG experience depression, which is more prevalent than in the general population (16%)26
    (n=36)

     
    gMG can also negatively impact caregivers

    gMG can also negatively impact caregivers—in most cases, a spouse or partner—who often have to help with daily activities22,23

    Patients with gMG have lower health-related quality of life (HR-QOL)

    Patients with gMG have lower health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) when compared with the general population23,24

    46%

    feel unsatisfied with their quality of life5 (n=668)

     
    27%

    of patients experienced unemployment21
    (n=917)

    36%

    of patients experienced decreases in income21
    (n=917)

    28%

    of patients with an average age of 57 years were forced to retire early24
    (n=1518)

    Work absenteeism was frequently reported, regardless of disease status

    Work absenteeism was frequently reported, regardless of disease status27*

     

     

    TREATMENT BURDEN

    Widely used immunosuppressive therapies incur the risk of long-term complications and side effects.28-30

    The long-term use of immunosuppressive therapies (including steroids) is associated with risk of29, 30:

    diabetes
    Diabetes 
    hypertension
    Hypertension 
    leukopenia
    Leukopenia 
    osteoporosis
    Osteoporosis 
    liver kidney
    Liver and Kidney
    Toxicities 
    neupropsych
    Neuropsychiatric Disturbances 

     

    Impacts of treatment-related
    side effects include31§ (n=14):

    70%

    of patients with MG-ADL scores of 6 and above do not feel their treatment goals are being met8 (n=190)

     

     

    ~36-64%

    of patients receiving treatment still had difficulty controlling gMG symptoms over the course of 3-year study14†‡ (n=590)

     
     

    Impacts of treatment-related side effects include29§:

    64%

    had to take additional medication to cope with side effects

    43%

    felt bedridden/unable to leave the house

    57%

    of patients reported weight gain

    *Ranging from 1-3 days to over 1 month within the last 6 months, in a survey of patients with gMG across 13 centers (n=825).

    †Symptom control is defined as minimal manifestations (MM) status or better with prednisolone 5 mg/day or lower for at least 6 months. 

    ‡Approximately 31% to 54% of patients received intensive regimens consisting of plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), and/or IV steroids within 6 months of treatment initiation. Other treatment options included intravenous methylprednisolone, immunosuppressive treatments (ISTs), pyridostigmine, plasma exchange, and/or IVIg.

    §Cross-sectional, qualitative, one-on-one interview study with 14 individuals diagnosed with MG.

    SEE HOW gMG IMPACTS A PATIENT’S DAILY LIFE

     

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