Correlation of fatigue on walking ability in myasthenia gravis patients: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular junction autoimmune disease characterised of intermittent muscle weakness that increases with activity and recovers with rest. Objective: Analysing the correlation of fatigue on walking ability in MG patients. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design with consecutive sampling. Participants MG patients took in this trial. Data collection encompasses fatigue and walking ability, with fatigue being assessed using the fatigue severity scale (FSS) and walking ability being assessed using the 10-metre walking test. The 10-metre walking test assessment contains three components: comfortable walking speed (CWS), maximum walking speed (MWS), and natural cadence. The statistical analysis used in this study includes the Pearson correlation and Spearman rank tests with P<0.05. Results: The number of participants was 23 MG patients, and most of the participant was female (69.6%). The participant’s fatigue value was 5.46±1.13, including MGFA 1=5.32±1.15, MGFA 2A=5.5±1.11, and MGFA 2B=5.61±1.30. Meanwhile, the participant’s walking abilities included CWS of 1.10±0.11 m/s, MWS of 1.31±0.15 m/s, and natural cadence of 110.91±7.74 steps/min. No significant correlation of fatigue on walking ability including FSS vs. CWS (r=−0.141; P=0.520), FSS vs MWS (r=−0.169; P=0.442), and FSS vs. natural cadence (r=−0.050; P=0.822). Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between fatigue and walking ability in MG patients who had MGFA 1, MGFA 2A, and MGFA 2B.