Real-World Cross-Sectional Study of Clinical Characteristics and Healthcare Resource Utilization in Patients With Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Across the Asia-Pacific Region
Author(s)
Huimin Zou, PhD1, Yunfeng Lai, PhD1, Zhiguang Fu, PhD2, Honghao Shi, PhD2.
1School of Public Health and Management, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China, 2International Research Center for Medicinal Administration, Peking University, Beijing, China.
1School of Public Health and Management, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China, 2International Research Center for Medicinal Administration, Peking University, Beijing, China.
OBJECTIVES: To comprehensively analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics, diagnostic pathways, treatment patterns, and healthcare resource utilization of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) patients across the Asia-Pacific region using prospectively collected real‑world cross‑sectional data, providing evidence to reduce diagnostic delays, optimize individualized treatment strategies, and allocate healthcare resources efficiently.
METHODS: This cross‑sectional study with prospectively collected real‑world data enrolled 590 adult gMG patients from China, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan region, and South Korea. Data on demographics, diagnosis and treatment timelines, medication regimens, and hospitalization/emergency visits were captured via physician-completed Patient Record Forms (PRFs) at a single predefined time window. Continuous variables were described as mean ± standard deviation, while categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages.
RESULTS: The mean patient age was 51.65 ± 15.98 years (58.0% female, 342/590), with a mean BMI of 23.90 ± 13.52. 49.2% (290/590) relied on private insurance or self-payment. At diagnosis, 52.0% (307/590) were classified as MGFA class II, and 56.9% (336/590) remained at class II at data capture. The mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 61.5 ± 68.5 months, with a 25.0 ± 46.5-month delay between diagnosis and treatment initiation. Initial consultations were primarily with neurologists (69.5%), followed by general practitioners (15.2%) and ophthalmologists (5.6%). 92.4% of patients were undergoing treatment, predominantly with pyridostigmine (68.6%) and prednisone (60.4%), while novel biologics showed minimal utilization (eculizumab: 0.4%). Over the past 12 months, 68.8% did not require hospitalization; among those hospitalized, only 19.4% required ICU care, and 32.9% had emergency visits.
CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to systematically characterize the real-world clinical management of gMG patients across the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting significant diagnostic and therapeutic delays, predominant reliance on conventional therapies, and low adoption of advanced treatments. These findings provide critical insights for accelerating diagnostic processes, promoting precision medicine, and optimizing healthcare resource allocation.
METHODS: This cross‑sectional study with prospectively collected real‑world data enrolled 590 adult gMG patients from China, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan region, and South Korea. Data on demographics, diagnosis and treatment timelines, medication regimens, and hospitalization/emergency visits were captured via physician-completed Patient Record Forms (PRFs) at a single predefined time window. Continuous variables were described as mean ± standard deviation, while categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages.
RESULTS: The mean patient age was 51.65 ± 15.98 years (58.0% female, 342/590), with a mean BMI of 23.90 ± 13.52. 49.2% (290/590) relied on private insurance or self-payment. At diagnosis, 52.0% (307/590) were classified as MGFA class II, and 56.9% (336/590) remained at class II at data capture. The mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 61.5 ± 68.5 months, with a 25.0 ± 46.5-month delay between diagnosis and treatment initiation. Initial consultations were primarily with neurologists (69.5%), followed by general practitioners (15.2%) and ophthalmologists (5.6%). 92.4% of patients were undergoing treatment, predominantly with pyridostigmine (68.6%) and prednisone (60.4%), while novel biologics showed minimal utilization (eculizumab: 0.4%). Over the past 12 months, 68.8% did not require hospitalization; among those hospitalized, only 19.4% required ICU care, and 32.9% had emergency visits.
CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to systematically characterize the real-world clinical management of gMG patients across the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting significant diagnostic and therapeutic delays, predominant reliance on conventional therapies, and low adoption of advanced treatments. These findings provide critical insights for accelerating diagnostic processes, promoting precision medicine, and optimizing healthcare resource allocation.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-09, ISPOR Real-World Evidence Summit 2025, Tokyo, Japan
Value in Health Regional, Volume 49S (September 2025)
Code
RWD80
Topic Subcategory
Health & Insurance Records Systems
Disease
SDC: Neurological Disorders