Burden of glucocorticoid use in commercially insured adults with generalized myasthenia gravis in the United States: A retrospective claims-based analysis - PubMed

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Generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) is a chronic autoimmune condition causing muscle weakness.
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used when frontline treatments fail, but long-term use is linked to toxicities.
The study analyzed GC-related toxicities, healthcare resource use, and costs in US adults with gMG.
Patients were classified into 'no GC use' and 'any GC use' cohorts, with the latter further divided by dosage.
Among 8,833 patients, 42.5% used GCs, with higher nonsteroidal immunosuppressant use in this group.
Incident GC toxicities were more common in GC users (61.9%) vs. non-users (52.3%).
Acute toxicities included nausea, pneumonia, and infections; chronic toxicities included dyslipidemia and hypertension.
Annual all-cause costs were over twice as high for GC users ($76,381) vs. non-users ($35,309).
Toxicities and costs increased with higher GC use, but claims data limitations prevent confirming GC causality.
The study highlights the need for effective GC-sparing treatments to reduce clinical and economic burdens.

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