2026 American Academy of Neurology Autoimmune Abstract Website

Ayesha Hassan¹, Meva Ram², Muhammad Hassnain³, Muhammad Khamosh³, Fnu Urooba⁴, Syed Tasbeel Mehdi², Muhammad Sarim Azad Khan⁵, Ushaq Ali², Tirath Patel⁶
¹Nishtar Medical University, Multan, ²Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College Lyari, Karachi, ³Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro, ⁴CMH Institute of Medical Science, Multan, ⁵Combined Military Hospital, Lahore Medical College, Pakistan, ⁶Trinity Medical Sciences University School of Medicine, Ratho Mill, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Objective:

This study examines the mortality burden of myasthenia gravis and respiratory diseases in the United States from 1999 to 2024, analysing trends and disparities.

Background:

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) significantly impacts mortality among patients with respiratory diseases. The impaired respiratory function in myasthenia gravis is accelerated in the presence of already existing respiratory diseases.

Design/Methods:

Using the CDC WONDER dataset for adults aged ≥ 25 years, we calculated age-adjusted and crude mortality rates (AAMRs and CMRs) per 1,000,000 through ICD-10 codes G70.0 for myasthenia gravis and J00-J98 for respiratory system diseases stratified by year, sex, race/ethnicity, place of death, and geography. Joinpoint regression estimated annual and average annual percent change (APC/AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results:

Between 1999 and 2024, a total of 18,247 deaths occured due to MG and coexisting respiratory diseases primarily in in patient medical facilities (61%). The overall AAMR increased from 2.63 in 1999 to 3.63 in 2024 (AAPC: 1.48; p=0.05) with the most significant increase observed between 2018 and 2021 (APC: 16.05). Men had higher AAMR than women (4.30 vs 2.26). Adults aged ≥65 years exhibited the highest CMR at 13.76. Non- Hispanic (NH) Whites showed the greatest AAMR at 3.39, comparing to other races. Regionally, the South had the highest AAMR (3.22) while the West had the lowest (2.83). Non-metropolitan areas exceeded metropolitan areas (2.96 vs 2.84). In states, Vermont and Wyoming ranked the highest, falling within the top 90th percentile during 1999-2020 and 2021-2024 time period respectively.

Conclusions:

Myasthenia gravis mortality with respiratory disease shows a non-linear trend, disproportionately affecting males, older adults, White individuals, non-metropolitan and the South regions, highlighting the need for targeted strategies and healthcare accessibility.