TREATMENT OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS WITH PREDNISONE

Eight patients with severe generalised myasthenia gravis and one with ocular myasthenia gravis have been treated with prednisone for between 6 and 25 months. Strength returned to normal or almost normal in the limb and trunk muscles of seven of the eight patients with generalised weakness and improved slightly in the limb and trunk muscles, with greater improvement in the respiratory muscles, of the other patient. Strength decreased during the early phase of treatment in two patients who later showed great improvement, but in one of them ocular and pharyngeal weakness have persisted and one has had relapses. The patient with purely ocular signs lost them. Prednisone was given on alternate days, but it may be advisable to give it more frequently at the start of treatment.