@article{ec1634e0e8bc445ab283944cac753a22,
title = "Epidemiological evidence for a hereditary contribution to myasthenia gravis: A retrospective cohort study of patients from North America",
abstract = "Objectives To approximate the rate of familial myasthenia gravis and the coexistence of other autoimmune disorders in the patients and their families. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Clinics across North America. Participants The study included 1032 patients diagnosed with acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR)-positive myasthenia gravis. Methods Phenotype information of 1032 patients diagnosed with AChR-positive myasthenia gravis was obtained from clinics at 14 centres across North America between January 2010 and January 2011. A critical review of the epidemiological literature on the familial rate of myasthenia gravis was also performed. Results Among 1032 patients, 58 (5.6%) reported a family history of myasthenia gravis. A history of autoimmune diseases was present in 26.6% of patients and in 28.4% of their family members. Discussion The familial rate of myasthenia gravis was higher than would be expected for a sporadic disease. Furthermore, a high proportion of patients had a personal or family history of autoimmune disease. Taken together, these findings suggest a genetic contribution to the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis.",
keywords = "epidemiology, genetics, neurogenetics, neurology, neuromuscular disease",
author = "Green, {Joshua D.} and Barohn, {Richard J.} and Emanuela Bartoccion and Michael Benatar and Derrick Blackmore and Vinay Chaudhry and Manisha Chopra and Andrea Corse and DImachkie, {Mazen M.} and Amelia Evoli and Julaine Florence and Miriam Freimer and Howard, {James F.} and Theresa Jiwa and Kaminski, {Henry J.} and Kissel, {John T.} and Koopman, {Wilma J.} and Bernadette Lipscomb and Michelanglo Maestri and Mariapaola Marino and Massey, {Janice M.} and April McVey and Mezei, {Michelle M.} and Srikanth Muppidi and Nicolle, {Michael W.} and Joel Oger and Pascuzzi, {Robert M.} and Mamatha Pasnoor and Alan Pestronk and Carlo Provenzano and Roberta Ricciardi and Richman, {David P.} and Julie Rowin and Sanders, {Donald B.} and Zaeem Siddiqi and Aimee Soloway and Wolfe, {Gil I.} and Charlie Wulf and Drachman, {Daniel B.} and Traynor, {Bryan J.}",
note = "Funding Information: Funding Study funding by the National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Program. The work was also supported by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation (Drs Drachman and Traynor), a generous bequest by Geraldine Weinrib, and a gift from Philip Swift. Support was provided by Mr and Mrs Don Brandon and the Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 BioMed Central Ltd.. All rights reserved.",
year = "2020",
month = sep,
day = "18",
doi = "10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037909",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "10",
journal = "BMJ open",
issn = "2044-6055",
publisher = "BMJ Publishing Group",
number = "9",
}