Co-Occurrence of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy and Myasthenia Gravis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data.

What was studied

This review looked at people who have both FSHD and myasthenia gravis. FSHD is a muscle disease. MG is an autoimmune disease that weakens muscles. Having both is rare. The authors worry that treatable MG symptoms may be put down to FSHD. They searched databases up to 3 April 2026. They pooled data on single patients. They looked at clinical, genetic and treatment details.

What they found

The review covered 29 patients. FSHD began before MG. The pooled mean gap was 24.21 years. MG began at a pooled mean age of 62.62 years. All tested patients were positive for acetylcholine receptor antibodies. MG often showed in the eyes and throat. Most improved after standard MG treatment.

What it means for patients

The authors say MG in people with FSHD typically starts late in adult life. They say it is an antibody-positive autoimmune condition. They say new eye or throat weakness should be seen as possible MG. They say this is a treatable cause of lost function.

Why it is not certain yet

Only 29 patients were included. The data came from original reports with single-patient data. The pooled results rest on small numbers. The abstract does not give how many patients were treated.

Source

Co-Occurrence of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy and Myasthenia Gravis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data.

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