Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8692559 | Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies | 2017 | 15 Pages |
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an acquired disease of the neuromuscular junctions characterized by muscular weakness and fatigue, with a prevalence of 50-125 cases per million population in western countries. In men, it usually appears after the age of 60Â years, while in women, it usually appears before the age of 40Â years. Long-term immunosuppression with corticosteroids is the mainstay treatment for patients with MG; however, the use of corticosteroids is a well-documented risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, which has also been reported in steroid-treated patients with MG. Here, a case of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a patient with MG who underwent 105 sessions of acupuncture delivered over 6Â months is reported. After acupuncture treatment, the patient's fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels, as well as the score on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, were decreased. Furthermore, no adverse effects were observed. The findings in this clinical study are encouraging and provide evidence supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing type 2 diabetes mellitus in a patient with MG.
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Authors
Yun Jin Kim,