MyReg – MYasthenia gravis REGistry

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies form against acetylcholine nicotinic postsynaptic receptors at the neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscles, resulting into a fluctuating weakness of these muscles. Extraocular muscles and muscles of the eyelid are affected most frequently, leading to diplopia and ptosis. Other typical symptoms involve disorders of articulation, swallowing, chewing, and several others. The symptoms typically occur in the evenings or after an exertion, and therefore have a fluctuating character. Antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor are present in about 85% of patients. Causal treatment of myasthenia gravis involves the administration of immunosuppressants or immunomodulators (corticosteroids, azathioprine, ciclosporin, IVIG), suppressing the autoimmune process. Cholinesterase inhibitors can be used as supportive therapy, increasing the availability of acetylcholine molecules.

Primary objective of the project:

• Collection of epidemiological and clinical data on patients with myasthenia gravis, getting information on disease development and response to treatment, and contributing to the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Secondary objectives of the project:

• Selection of suitable patients to be enrolled in prospective clinical trials, selection of patients suitable for the administration of new drugs, possibility of enrolling patients to international trials.
• In future, the registry is expected to contain very valuable data on disease development in individuals and in groups of patients.

Other important information:

• Expert guarantor: Stanislav Voháňka, MD, PhD, MBA (Department of Neurology at the University Hospital Brno)
• Partners: several specialised centres in the Czech Republic (you can find more detailed information – in Czech language only – on the website of the MyReg project)