Connect with others who understand.

Sign up Log in
About MGteam
Powered By
See answer

Does Myasthenia Gravis Affect Life Expectancy?

Updated on April 25, 2024

  • Most people with myasthenia gravis (MG) have a similar life expectancy as everyone else.
  • Heart disease and cancer are the top two causes of death for people with MG — the same as for people without MG.
  • Having a myasthenic crisis or developing other health conditions may shorten your life span with MG.

Most people living with myasthenia gravis can expect to have the same life expectancy as the general population. Your life expectancy is the average number of years you can expect to live.

MG is a neuromuscular disease that affects your nerves and muscles and usually gets worse over time. Although there’s no cure for the condition, advances in the treatment of myasthenia gravis have improved, extending the life expectancy of people living with it.

Even though the life expectancy for people with myasthenia gravis is about the same as the general population’s, living with the condition may affect your risk for certain diseases. Continue reading to learn more about how myasthenia gravis can affect your life expectancy.

What Is the Life Expectancy With Myasthenia Gravis?

Most people with myasthenia gravis have a normal life expectancy. In the United States, the average life expectancy is about 76.4 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For females, it’s 79.3 years and for males, it’s 73.5 years, per the CDC.

The mortality rate (the rate at which people die) for people with myasthenia gravis may be highest within the first five years after diagnosis. Studies have found that certain factors may be associated with a lower life expectancy, such as:

  • Being male
  • Being diagnosed after the age of 50
  • Having thymoma (cancer of the thymus gland)

Risk factors for a lower life expectancy with myasthenia gravis include being male, being diagnosed after age 50, and having cancer of the thymus gland.

Enter Cell 2 Content Here...

Enter Cell 3 Content Here...

Enter Cell 4 Content Here...

Enter Cell 5 Content Here...

Enter Cell 6 Content Here...

Although most people with myasthenia gravis can expect a normal life expectancy, symptoms of MG can affect your quality of life, including your ability to complete daily activities. Myasthenia gravis can also take a toll on your mental health. Mood disorders occur in about 40 percent of people with the condition.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Death for People With Myasthenia Gravis?

Studies on large populations have found that the most common causes of death among people with myasthenia gravis are similar to those of the general population.

In the U.S., the top two leading causes of death for the general population are heart disease and cancer. Researchers have found similar patterns in people with myasthenia gravis. A 2020 study in Sweden found that cancer and heart disease were the first and second most common causes of death among 4,000 people with myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis itself was the third leading cause of death in this population.

The top two causes of death for people with myasthenia gravis are heart disease and cancer, followed by MG itself.

Enter Cell 2 Content Here...

Enter Cell 3 Content Here...

Enter Cell 4 Content Here...

Enter Cell 5 Content Here...

Enter Cell 6 Content Here...

Myasthenia Gravis and Cancer

Cancer is a common cause of death for people with myasthenia gravis. People with the condition may have a higher risk of some types of cancer due to an association with thymoma and treatment with immunosuppressant medications.

Thymoma and Other Cancers

In the Swedish study, half of people with both thymoma and myasthenia gravis died from cancer during the 10-year study period.

Thymoma and myasthenia gravis are also associated with other types of cancer. A different study in Sweden found that, other than thymoma, the most common types of cancer in people with myasthenia gravis were:

  • Skin cancer
  • Cancer of male genital organs
  • Cancer of female genital organs
  • Cancer of digestive organs
  • Breast cancer

A thymectomy — a procedure to remove the thymus gland — may improve outcomes in some people with MG.

Talk to your neurologist about your risk for cancer. Your doctor may recommend cancer screening — testing for some cancers before you have any symptoms.

Immunosuppressants and Cancer

The use of immunosuppressant medications to treat myasthenia gravis has also been linked to an increased risk of some cancers.

Immunosuppressant medications can be helpful in treating MG because it’s an autoimmune condition. If you have an autoimmune disease, your body’s immune system makes antibodies (specialized immune system proteins) that mistakenly attack the neuromuscular junction — the space between your nerves and muscles. This attack interferes with communication between nerves and muscles. This results in muscle weakness in the muscles you control, called voluntary muscles or skeletal muscles.

Immunosuppressant medications can improve your symptoms of myasthenia gravis by stopping the immune system from making harmful antibodies. Examples of immunosuppressant medications used in MG include:

While immunosuppressants can help MG symptoms, they can also hinder the immune system’s ability to detect and fight off new cancer. This may result in the development of some cancers.

Talk to your neurologist about the potential risks of your MG medication.

Myasthenia Gravis and Heart Disease

Lifestyle factors and medications related to myasthenia gravis may put people living with the condition at risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack.

Muscle weakness and fatigue caused by myasthenia gravis can make physical activity and exercise more difficult. Lack of physical activity is one of the most important risk factors for heart disease.

Your risk of heart disease may also increase if you take corticosteroid medications, like prednisone. Several of the potential side effects of prednisone are also risk factors for heart disease, such as:

  • Weight gain
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Diabetes
  • Higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides

Talk to your neurologist about your risk of heart disease and ways to prevent it.

Myasthenia Gravis-Related Death

Myasthenic crisis is a life-threatening complication of MG that can result in death from respiratory failure. A myasthenic crisis happens when your respiratory muscles (the muscles that help you breathe) become too weak to move air in and out of your lungs. During a myasthenic crisis, a person requires a ventilator to help them breathe.

If you have a lung infection, such as influenza (the flu) or pneumonia, you may be more likely to die from a myasthenic crisis.

Myasthenic crisis can be life-threatening, so it’s important to be aware of the early signs, such as:

  • Increased muscle weakness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Difficulty swallowing

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should seek care immediately.

How Can You Improve Your Life Expectancy With Myasthenia Gravis?

For people with myasthenic crisis, steps for improving life expectancy are similar to those for the general population. The following tips may help you to reduce your risk for cancer and heart disease:

  • Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
  • Avoid foods high in saturated fat and trans fat.
  • Drink less alcohol.
  • Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity every week (about 30 minutes per day).
  • Quit smoking.
  • Protect your skin with sunscreen.

Developing healthy habits can also decrease your risk for other chronic conditions, such as diabetes and stroke.

The best ways to improve your life expectancy with myasthenia gravis are to stick to healthy habits and keep your MG well-controlled.

Enter Cell 2 Content Here...

Enter Cell 3 Content Here...

Enter Cell 4 Content Here...

Enter Cell 5 Content Here...

Enter Cell 6 Content Here...

Managing Myasthenia Gravis

Take charge of your myasthenic crisis care to keep your disease well managed and prevent complications. Talk to your neurologist about the risks and benefits of MG treatment options, such as immunosuppressant medications, and how they may affect your risk of other medical conditions.

It’s also important to make sure you and all of your health care providers are aware of drugs you should either avoid or use with caution when living with myasthenic crisis, including:

  • Antibiotics, such as telithromycin, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and aminoglycosides
  • Beta-blockers
  • Botulinum toxin (Botox)
  • Corticosteroids
  • Desferrioxamine
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Magnesium
  • Procainamide
  • Statins
  • Systemic lidocaine

Connect With Others Who Understand

On MGteam — the social network for people living with myasthenia gravis and their loved ones — members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with myasthenia gravis.

Are you living with myasthenia gravis? What steps have you taken to increase your life expectancy? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.

References
  1. Myasthenia Gravis — National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
  2. Life Expectancy — National Center for Health Statistics
  3. Clinical Overview of MG — Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
  4. Myasthenia Gravis (MG) — Cleveland Clinic
  5. Quality of Life and Life Circumstances in German Myasthenia Gravis Patients — Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
  6. Life Expectancy — National Center for Health Statistics
  7. Mortality Rates and Causes of Death in Swedish Myasthenia Gravis Patients — Neuromuscular Disorders
  8. Mortality of Myasthenia Gravis: A National Population-Based Study in China — Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
  9. Mortality and Survival in Myasthenia Gravis: A Danish Population Based Study — Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
  10. A Review of Psychiatric Comorbidity in Myasthenia Gravis — Cureus
  11. Leading Causes of Death — National Center for Health Statistics
  12. Cancer in Myasthenia Gravis Subtypes in Relation to Immunosuppressive Treatment and Acetylcholine Receptor Antibodies: A Swedish Nationwide Register Study — European Journal of Neurology
  13. Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis: A Narrative Review — Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences
  14. Treatments — Conquer MG
  15. Immunosuppression — National Cancer Institute
  16. Sedentary Behavior, Exercise, and Cardiovascular Health — Circulation Research
  17. Prednisone — Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center
  18. Know Your Risk for Heart Disease — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  19. MG Emergencies — Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
  20. Reduce Your Cancer Risk — Cancer Institute NSW
  21. Prevent Heart Disease — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  22. Cautionary Drugs — Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America

Updated on April 25, 2024
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.

You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Privacy Policy
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Subscribe now to ask your question, get answers, and stay up to date on the latest articles.

Get updates directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Privacy Policy

What Effect Can Magnesium Have In Regards To MG?

March 31, 2024 by A MGteam Member 2 answers

How Come When I First Wake Up I Have Such A Hard Time Getting Up Legs And Arms So Weak, Sometimes I Fall Back In Bed

April 5, 2024 by A MGteam Member 2 answers
Luc Jasmin, M.D., Ph.D., FRCS (C), FACS is a board-certified neurosurgery specialist. Learn more about him here.
Amanda Jacot, PharmD earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2009 and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Texas College of Pharmacy in 2014. Learn more about her here.

Related Articles

If you’re among the estimated 36,000 to 60,000 people in the United States who have myasthenia gr...

5 Celebrities With Myasthenia Gravis and How They Raise Awareness

If you’re among the estimated 36,000 to 60,000 people in the United States who have myasthenia gr...
This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you mo...

Self-Kindness When Struggling: 6-Minute Guided Meditation (VIDEO)

This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you mo...
If you have myasthenia gravis, your risk of developing thyroid disease is higher than that of the...

5 Thyroid Issues With Myasthenia Gravis: Graves’ Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and More

If you have myasthenia gravis, your risk of developing thyroid disease is higher than that of the...

Recent Articles

Minimal symptom expression is a term your doctor might use when you have no symptoms — or very mi...

Goals in Myasthenia Gravis Treatment: What Is Minimal Symptom Expression?

Minimal symptom expression is a term your doctor might use when you have no symptoms — or very mi...
No matter what age you were when you were diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), it’s natural to ...

Aging With Myasthenia Gravis: What To Expect

No matter what age you were when you were diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), it’s natural to ...
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes symptoms like muscle weaknes...

Does Myasthenia Gravis Cause Joint Pain? 10 Ways to Manage

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes symptoms like muscle weaknes...
Difficulty swallowing can cause choking and make it hard to eat or take pills. Fluids you’re tryi...

Problems Swallowing With Myasthenia Gravis: Tips for Eating Safely

Difficulty swallowing can cause choking and make it hard to eat or take pills. Fluids you’re tryi...
Here are four ways to save money on medications.

4 Ways To Reduce the Cost of Medication (VIDEO)

Here are four ways to save money on medications.
Deciding whether or not to have children is probably one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever mak...

Family Planning With Myasthenia Gravis: Timing, Risks, and Genetic Testing

Deciding whether or not to have children is probably one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever mak...

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more: