Epidemiological data on Myasthenia gravis related to SARS-COV-2 infections in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to provide an estimated incidence of Myasthenia Gravis (MG) and to describe the pattern of the disease in the Republic of Moldova before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: Multiple epidemiological sources were explored prospectively and retrospectively. The date the SARS-CoV-2 infection (March 11, 2020) was declared a pandemic was used as a reference and the data gathered the previous and the next year were compared and analyzed. Results: During the time March 11, 2020 – March 11, 2021 – 28 new cases of MG were ascertained yielding a crude incidence rate of 10.6 per million persons-years (95% CI 6.7 – 14.5), 13.1 in women (95% CI 7.1 – 19.1) and 7.8 in men (95% CI 3 – 12.6) (F:M ratio of 1.6:1). The mean age of onset was 49.8 years (43.2 in women and 62.7 in men). Only 5 thymectomies were performed. Two deaths of previously diagnosed MG patients were registered, including one associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the time period March 11, 2019 – March 10 ,2020 – 26 new cases of MG were identified yielding a crude incidence rate of 9.67 per million persons-years (95% CI 5.96 – 13.38), 12.11 in women (95% CI 6.41 – 17.81) and 7.01 in men (95% CI 2.51 – 11.51) (F:M ratio of 1.7:1). The mean age of onset was 45.6 years. 17 thymectomies were performed. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of MG was not significantly higher than the year before. However, patient management and hospital care have been markedly impacted.