Sexual and Urinary Dysfunctions in Generalized Myasthenia

Overview

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease caused by specific autoantibodies that disrupt the function of the neuromuscular junction. It manifests as excessive fatigue of the skeletal muscles during physical exertion and affects 15,000 people in France. Initial symptoms are most often ocular (ptosis, diplopia) but can later spread throughout the body, potentially leading in some cases to respiratory failure and/or swallowing difficulties (myasthenic crisis) or even death. This condition is currently being managed more effectively through treatment, and the invisible symptoms (sexual dysfunction, sphincter dysfunction, psychological impact, etc.) may ultimately be more debilitating than the initial symptoms, which are often controlled by maintenance and/or symptomatic treatments. The impact of myasthenia gravis on intimate life remains a taboo subject and is poorly understood by both the medical community and patients. In the literature, only a single article from 2021 addresses sexual dysfunction in patients with myasthenia gravis. Urinary disorders in myasthenia gravis are frequently reported but have also been little studied. A national survey, conducted using an online questionnaire distributed by patient associations, shed light on the disease's impact on patients' intimate lives. In this study of 190 patients, 46 of them responded to the question about sexual function, and one in two patients reported sexual complaints; in 46% of cases, this disorder significantly impacted the patients' daily lives. In particular, a decrease in the frequency of sexual intercourse with a partner was noted in 55% of cases, as well as a decrease in sexual desire in 51% of cases. Sexual dysfunction is very common and underreported in many chronic neurological diseases. The Sexual Complaints Screener (SCS W/M) questionnaires for women and men in English have very recently been validated in French (Questionnaires de Plaintes Sexuelles, QPS F/H). It now have a 10-item self-administered questionnaire that assesses the full range of sexual disorders and their impact. In conclusion, while the visible symptoms of myasthenia gravis are widely recognized, the invisible symptoms-such as genitourinary and sphincter disorders-remain largely unrecognized and underdiagnosed. It is therefore essential to conduct systematic screening in order to best guide our patients and thereby improve their quality of life.