The impact of myasthenia gravis severity on work and daily activities

Abstract Introduction/Aims People with myasthenia gravis (MG) experience impaired quality of life. However, the impact of MG symptoms on work productivity has not been well‐studied. We aimed to evaluate this impact and to examine associations between disease severity and the degree of impairment. Methods Data were drawn from the Adelphi MG Disease‐Specific Programme™, a multinational (USA, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK) survey completed by physicians and their patients with MG in 2020. Patient‐reported measures included the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI): Specific Health Problem questionnaire. Results The WPAI questionnaire was completed by 330 patients. Among those currently employed, the mean percentage of work time missed (absenteeism) was 13.3% ( N = 116), percentage impairment of productivity at work (presenteeism) was 26.7% ( N = 121), and overall work impairment was 30.0% ( N = 110). Across all patients, impairment of non‐work‐related activities due to health problems (ADL impairment) was 39.2% ( N = 330). Regression analysis indicated that impairment differed according to MG Foundation of America (MGFA) class ( p = .0147, p < .0001, p < .0001 and p < .0001 for absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work impairment and ADL impairment, respectively). Being MGFA class III/IV was a predictor of presenteeism, overall work impairment and ADL impairment in a predictor model. Discussion Patients with MG experience substantial work impairment particularly those with more severe symptoms, highlighting an important way in which patient quality of life is negatively affected. More effective treatment strategies would enable patients to lead more productive lives and could impact decisions relating to work and career.