Burden of Disease in Myasthenia Gravis: A Targeted Literature Review.

BACKGROUND

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune neurologic disorder with a heterogenous disease presentation. The objective of this targeted literature review was to characterize the burden of disease and unmet treatment needs in patients with MG.

METHODS

Scientific articles published in English between May 4, 2013, and November 24, 2025, were identified in the PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases using a pre-defined Boolean search strategy. Titles and abstracts were screened for information on clinical presentation, pathology, and diagnostic considerations for MG; burden of disease, including epidemiologic, clinical, humanistic, and economic burden; and treatments, including treatment guidelines.

RESULTS

The analysis included 318 records. Population-based estimates of MG incidence published from 2007 onwards ranged from 0.3 to 6.1 per 100,000 person-years, and prevalence estimates ranged from 2.2 to 58.6 per 100,000 persons. The clinical and humanistic burden of MG remains high, with patients reporting inadequate symptom control, fatigue, poor quality of life, and dissatisfaction with their current treatment. Greater disease severity was associated with reduced quality of life and poorer mental health. Medical costs varied by region, and key drivers of direct medical costs include hospitalization and treatment of exacerbation or myasthenic crisis.

CONCLUSION

The burden of MG remains high, despite the availability of novel treatments. Studies are needed to better characterize the current burden of MG in the context of newer treatment options and to explore how the disease burden may be reduced for patients.