Simone Birnbaum

Institute of Myology, French National Centre for Scientific Research

is required for a review article as per instructions

is required for a review article as per instructions

Exercise (EX) in stable autoimmune MG has been shown to be safe and may be effective in improving function. However, current literature demonstrates that not all individuals with MG undergo regular EX. The reasons for this are unclear, due to a lack of studies and contradictory results in existing data with respect to disease severity as a possible...

Progressive weakness of the intrinsic muscles of the hand is an under-recognized and -reported in LGMDR2/2B but has significant impact on the functional ability of the hand. The Jain Foundation Clinical Outcome Study of dysferlinopathy (COS2) is an international 2-year natural history study of patients with LGMDR2/2B with the aim to characterise di...

In Reply We thank Akamine et al for their letter. They have raised the concern that corticosteroids can lead to initial myasthenia gravis (MG) worsening. Our data (Table) demonstrate that, in fact, there was no greater deterioration in the rapid-tapering arm compared with the slow-tapering arm in the first month following corticotherapy treatment....

The tolerance of exercise and its effects on quality of life in myasthenia gravis are not currently backed up by strong evidence. The aim of this study was to determine whether exercise as an adjunct therapy is well tolerated and can improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in stabilized, generalized autoimmune myasthenia gravis (gMG). We con...

Background: Muscle weakness and fatigability, the prominent symptoms of autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG), impact negatively on daily function and quality of life (QoL). It is currently unclear as to what extent symptoms limit activity and whether physical activity (PA) behaviours are associated with reduced QoL. Objectives: This study aimed to...

Importance: The tapering of prednisone therapy in generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) presents a therapeutic dilemma; however, the recommended regimen has not yet been validated. Objective: To compare the efficacy of the standard slow-tapering regimen of prednisone therapy with a rapid-tapering regimen. Design: From June 1, 2009, to July 31, 20...

Muscle weakness and fatigability, the hallmark symptoms of auto-immune myasthenia gravis (MG), impact negatively on daily function and quality of life (QoL). To what extent MG symptoms limit activity is unclear and whether QoL is related to physical activity (PA) behavior is unknown. PA data from females with generalized MG were compared to control...

Background: The cardinal symptoms of auto-immune myasthenia gravis are fatigue and weakness. Endurance events such as marathon running would seem incompatible with this chronic disease. Many patients stop sport altogether. There is limited literature of patients with auto-immune myasthenia gravis undergoing regular endurance exercise. Case presen...

Background: Research exploring the effects of physical exercise in auto-immune myasthenia gravis (MG) is scarce. The few existing studies present methodological shortcomings limiting the conclusions and generalisability of results. It is hypothesised that exercise could have positive physical, psychological as well as immunomodulatory effects and...

Introduction: The MG-QOL15 is a validated, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measure for myasthenia gravis (MG). Widespread use of the scale gave us the opportunity to further analyze its clinimetric properties. Methods: We first performed Rasch analysis on >1,300 15-item Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life scale (MG-QOL15) completed surveys. Re...

Introduction: Evaluation of quality of life (QOL) has become essential in healthcare. Currently no QOL measure specific for MG exists in French. Aim: The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the French MG-QOL 15 scale for French myasthenic patients. Methods: Translation and cross-cul...

Introduction: The MG-QOL15 is a validated, HRQOL measure for myasthenia gravis (MG). Widespread use of the scale gave us the opportunity to further analyze its clinimetric properties. Methods: We first performed Rasch analysis on >1300 MG-QOL15 completed surveys. Results were discussed during a conference call with specialists and biostatisticia...