Myasthenia gravis complicated by Graves’ disease: a case report
Abstract Introduction Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular autoimmune condition characterized by the presence of antibodies against acetylcholine receptors. It may present as a generalized disorder or remain limited to specific muscle groups. Myasthenia gravis can occur independently or alongside ot...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05198-y |
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| author | Larrey Kasereka Kamabu Ronald Oboth Louange Maha Kataka Albert Yemba Baruani Hervé Monka Lekuya Charles Kahindo Kangitsi |
| author_facet | Larrey Kasereka Kamabu Ronald Oboth Louange Maha Kataka Albert Yemba Baruani Hervé Monka Lekuya Charles Kahindo Kangitsi |
| author_sort | Larrey Kasereka Kamabu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular autoimmune condition characterized by the presence of antibodies against acetylcholine receptors. It may present as a generalized disorder or remain limited to specific muscle groups. Myasthenia gravis can occur independently or alongside other autoimmune conditions, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. Although the co-occurrence of these disorders is recognized, it is an extremely rare clinical phenomenon. Case presentation A 20-year-old woman of Muganda ethnicity, with a 2-year history of Graves’ disease confirmed by thyroid scintigraphy, developed a myasthenic syndrome leading to acute respiratory failure. Her condition improved with the administration of Prostigmine. Further investigations, including electrophysiological studies and immunological tests, confirmed a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. The patient demonstrated a positive response to medical therapy. Conclusion This case highlights the importance of recognizing the rare association between myasthenia gravis and Graves’ disease. Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment require a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach, particularly given the challenges posed by overlapping symptoms and the exacerbating effects of hyperthyroidism on myasthenia gravis. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c5cf87a5dc5c4a92b9df863ff79fc2ff |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-c5cf87a5dc5c4a92b9df863ff79fc2ff2025-08-20T03:46:08ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-07-011911810.1186/s13256-025-05198-yMyasthenia gravis complicated by Graves’ disease: a case reportLarrey Kasereka Kamabu0Ronald Oboth1Louange Maha Kataka2Albert Yemba Baruani3Hervé Monka Lekuya4Charles Kahindo Kangitsi5Faculty of Medicine, Neurosurgery Division, Catholic University of GrabenDepartment of Surgery, Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Makerere UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Neurosurgery Division, Catholic University of GrabenDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New Deal SARL Hospitals/Clinique International de Médecine Avancée Au Kivu (CIMAK)Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Makerere UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de GomaAbstract Introduction Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular autoimmune condition characterized by the presence of antibodies against acetylcholine receptors. It may present as a generalized disorder or remain limited to specific muscle groups. Myasthenia gravis can occur independently or alongside other autoimmune conditions, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. Although the co-occurrence of these disorders is recognized, it is an extremely rare clinical phenomenon. Case presentation A 20-year-old woman of Muganda ethnicity, with a 2-year history of Graves’ disease confirmed by thyroid scintigraphy, developed a myasthenic syndrome leading to acute respiratory failure. Her condition improved with the administration of Prostigmine. Further investigations, including electrophysiological studies and immunological tests, confirmed a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. The patient demonstrated a positive response to medical therapy. Conclusion This case highlights the importance of recognizing the rare association between myasthenia gravis and Graves’ disease. Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment require a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach, particularly given the challenges posed by overlapping symptoms and the exacerbating effects of hyperthyroidism on myasthenia gravis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05198-yMyasthenia gravisGraves’ diseaseAutoimmune association |
| spellingShingle | Larrey Kasereka Kamabu Ronald Oboth Louange Maha Kataka Albert Yemba Baruani Hervé Monka Lekuya Charles Kahindo Kangitsi Myasthenia gravis complicated by Graves’ disease: a case report Journal of Medical Case Reports Myasthenia gravis Graves’ disease Autoimmune association |
| title | Myasthenia gravis complicated by Graves’ disease: a case report |
| title_full | Myasthenia gravis complicated by Graves’ disease: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Myasthenia gravis complicated by Graves’ disease: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Myasthenia gravis complicated by Graves’ disease: a case report |
| title_short | Myasthenia gravis complicated by Graves’ disease: a case report |
| title_sort | myasthenia gravis complicated by graves disease a case report |
| topic | Myasthenia gravis Graves’ disease Autoimmune association |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05198-y |
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