Clinical profiles, management and outcome of myasthenic crisis in a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan

To determine the clinical profiles, management and outcome of myasthenic crisis (MC) in patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. This was a retrospective study of forty patients with Myasthenic crisis(MC) admitted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi between 1999 and 2014.Demographics, clinical presentation, hospital course, management and outcomes were reviewed. Ventilatory support for respiratory muscle or bulbar weakness was taken as crisis identification at arrival. Out of the total 40 patients with MC; generalized onset was seen in 28 (70%) and isolated bulbar symptoms in 12 (30%) patients. Fifteen patients (37.5%) had MC as a first presentation. In a third world country with insufficient resources and limited access to specialist care, early recognition of MC by general practitioners is important. Patient education about avoidance of possible precipitating factors and recognition of early symptoms of MC is essential