Advances in Molecular Diagnostics
Open Access

Case Report

Myasthenia Gravis Associated with Diabetes about an Observation in Dakar, Senegal (West Africa) and Review of the Literature

Soumaila Boubacar^1*, Ngor Side Diagne¹, Djibrilla Ben Adji², Yannick F Fogang¹, Youssoufa Maiga³, Douma Maiga⁴, Moustapha Ndiaye¹, Amadou G Diop¹ and Mansour Ndiaye M¹

¹Department of Neurology, Fann National Teaching Hospital Po Box 5035 Dakar, Senegal

²Department of Medicine, National Hospital Po Box 238 Niamey, Niger

³Department of Neurology, Gabriel Touré University Hospital Po Box 267 Bamako, Mali

⁴Faculty of health sciences, University of Maradi Po Box 465 Maradi, Niger

Corresponding Author:

Soumaila Boubacar
Department of Neurology
Fann National Teaching Hospital Po Box 5035 Dakar, Senegal
Tel: 971556864636
E-mail: abounadjma@yahoo.fr

Received date: April 19, 2016; Accepted date: May 02, 2016; Published date: May 09, 2016

Citation: Boubacar S, Diagne NS, Adji DB, Fogang YF, Maiga Y, et al. (2016) Myasthenia Gravis Associated with Diabetes about an Observation in Dakar, Senegal (West Africa) and Review of the Literature. Adv Mol Diag 1:101. doi:10.4172/amd.1000 105

Copyright: © 2016 Boubacar S, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Myasthenia gravis is a rare disease with very few confirmed cases described in the African setting. We report the case of a 41-year-old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure (well monitored), and migraine with aura. She was received at the outpatient neurology consultation for a left ptosis, diplopia, chewing and walking difficulties. She reported abnormal and fluctuating muscle fatigability at effort, responsible for several falls. These symptoms were marked at evening, and were evolving since four years before her consultation in our center. She also reported a history of palpitations, exertional dyspnea, dysphonia, dysphagia and 20 kg weight loss. Neurological examination found a horizontal diplopia, a left ptosis and abnormal weakness at dynamic eyes and limb muscles testing. Otherwise the remaining neurological examination was unremarkable. Repetitive nerve stimulation found a significant compound muscle action potentials decrement. The immunological tests showed a very high level of antibodies to acetylcholine receptors (anti-AChR) at 1220.00 nmol/l (normal value <0.40 nmol/l). Thyroid tests and the remaining biological tests were normal. Thorax CT-scan was normal, with no thymoma. Considering these results, the diagnosis of anti-AchR myasthenia gravis was established. She was started on pyridostigmine 60 mg four times daily associated to her previous hypertension and diabetes therapy. Outcome after five months of treatment was marked by a complete recovery of muscle weakness and weight. Myasthenia gravis is a rare disease, frequently leading to a misdiagnosis. His association with diabetes is well established. It is worth to think about it when dealing with patients presenting fatigue with a history of diabetes.

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