Table 1 Overview over previous SF-36 studies amongst Myasthenia gravis patients

Paul et al., USA, 2001 [2]

27

Cohort from Patient organization MGFA

SF-36

To describe HRQOL in MG patients compared to normative data

All, except mental health and bodily pain reduced compared to normative US population. Ratings of mood scale within 1 SD with US norm.

Generalized 100 %

Padua et al., Italy, 2002 [1]

46

Clinical cohort

SF-36

To evaluate the correlation of physician measures like Osserman and repetitive nerve stimulation to HRQOL outcomes

All domains largely reduced compared to normative Italian population.

Remission: 6.5 %

Ocular: 4.3 %

Generalized: 89 %

Rostedt et al., Sweden, 2005-2006 [5, 6] (3 publications)

42-48

Clinical cohort

SF-36 and MGQ validation

To correlate MGQ, SF-36 and degree of neuromuscular abnormalities measured by single fiber-EMG and repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS)

Remission: 20 %

SF-36 and MGQ versus SF-EMG

Ocular: 20 %

Generalized: 60 %

Leonardi et al., Italy, 2010 [4]

102

Clinical cohort

SF-36, WHO-das II

To describe HRQOL and disability profiles according to ICF’s biopsychosocial model.

In patients without symptoms similar to general Italian population, greater difference with more symptoms.

Raggi et al., Italy, 2010 [3] (2 publications)

Remission: 24.5 %

To verify concordance between disease’s severity, HRQOL and disability in MG.

Ocular: 28.4 %

Generalized: 47 %

Winter et al., Germany, 2010 [7]

37

Multicenter cohort

SF-36, EuroQoL, EQ-5D-index score

To compare HRQOL in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), fascial scapula humeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and Myasthenia Gravis.

All domains reduced, except bodily pain compared to normative German population

Remission: 0 %

Comparison between ALS, MG and fascial scapula humeral muscular dystrophy.

Ocular: 45.9 %

Generalized: 43.2 %

Twork et al., Germany, 2010 [9]

1518

Cohort from German Myasthenia Association^a

SF-36

To analyze quality of life and life circumstances

More than one SD from normative population data Germany on the following domains:

Female: PF, GH

Male: PF, RP, GH, SF, RE

Female > male

Kulkantrakorn, Thailand, 2010 [10, 29] (two publications),

71

Clinical cohort, two university hospitals^a

SF-36

To study factors associated with QOL in MG patients

Females lower scores than males, however P-value is not given.

Basta et al., Serbia, 2012 [8]

230

Clinical cohort

SF-36, QMG, Hamilton rating, social support

To assess factors that might influence the HRQOL in MG patients

No population data available.

Remission: 39.1 %

Ocular: 8.7 %

Generalized: 52.2 %