Journal Article

DZNE-2025-01099

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Anxiety in Myasthenia Gravis Patients Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic-Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Association With Vaccination Status.

Beckmann, J. ; Petzold, M. ; Betzler, F. ; Ströhle, A. ; Bendau, A. ; Dusemund, C. ; Petzold, G. C.DZNE* ; Meisel, A. ; Hoffmann, S.

2025
Wiley Malden, Mass.

This record in other databases:    

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1002/brb3.70878

Abstract: A high prevalence of COVID-19-related anxiety was observed among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) might be at higher risk for COVID-19-related anxiety due to immunosuppressive therapy in the majority of cases and risk of myasthenic exacerbation in case of an infection. This prospective longitudinal study assessed COVID-19-related anxiety in MG patients over 2 years of the pandemic and its association with MG-specific factors (e.g., disease severity, immunosuppressive medication) and with vaccination status.A three-wave longitudinal online survey was conducted from May 2020 to February 2022, including a total of 648 adult MG patients. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were performed to assess COVID-19-related and MG-related anxiety, associated MG-specific factors, and association with vaccination status.COVID-19-related anxiety was frequent, with the most pronounced fear being risk for one's own health (overall 83.9%). Anxiety was influenced by MG diagnosis (overall 75.1%), especially by fear of exacerbation of myasthenic symptoms and greater risk of infection due to immunosuppressive therapy. Female sex and treatment with immunosuppressive medication, including rituximab, were associated with an increased concern for one's own health. Fear for one's own health was the only factor associated with vaccination status.COVID-19-related anxiety was prevalent among MG patients. An ongoing psychological impact is likely and highlights the need for anxiety screening in clinical practice. Our findings emphasize the importance of addressing mental health challenges during future pandemics.

Keyword(s): Humans (MeSH) ; Myasthenia Gravis: psychology (MeSH) ; Myasthenia Gravis: epidemiology (MeSH) ; Myasthenia Gravis: drug therapy (MeSH) ; Myasthenia Gravis: complications (MeSH) ; COVID-19: psychology (MeSH) ; COVID-19: epidemiology (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Anxiety: epidemiology (MeSH) ; Anxiety: etiology (MeSH) ; Anxiety: psychology (MeSH) ; Middle Aged (MeSH) ; Risk Factors (MeSH) ; Prevalence (MeSH) ; Adult (MeSH) ; Aged (MeSH) ; Longitudinal Studies (MeSH) ; Prospective Studies (MeSH) ; Vaccination: psychology (MeSH) ; Vaccination: statistics & numerical data (MeSH) ; Immunosuppressive Agents: therapeutic use (MeSH) ; Immunosuppressive Agents: adverse effects (MeSH) ; SARS-CoV-2 (MeSH) ; autoimmune disease ; corona ; fear ; immunosuppressive treatment ; Immunosuppressive Agents

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. Vascular Neurology (AG Petzold)

Research Program(s):

1. 353 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF4-353) (POF4-353)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

---

Database coverage:
; ; ; ; Article Processing Charges ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; DEAL Wiley ; DOAJ Seal ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; Fees ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

---