Titin Antibody Is Linked to Increased Hospitalization Rates in Nonthymoma Myasthenia Gravis in Central China

Abstract

Insufficient evidence exists to assess the effect of titin antibodies on nonthymoma myasthenia gravis (MG) treatment and prognosis. We analyzed whether titin antibody-positive patients with nonthymoma MG (non-TMG) have a higher frequency of hospitalization than those who are titin antibody-negative. We retrospectively analyzed patient data from January 2017 to July 2022 obtained from an institutional databank. We compared the clinical characteristics, treatment regimens, and MG-related annual hospitalization rate between titin antibody-positive (Titin+ group) and titin antibody-negative (Titin− group) patients with non-TMG. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to examine the factors associated with multiple hospital admissions (≥ 2). Finally, 170 patients with non-TMG were included, of whom 67 (39.4%) were Titin+ and 103 (60.6%) were Titin−. Compared with the Titin− group, the Titin+ group exhibited a notably higher annual hospitalization rate (p = 0.011). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that titin antibody positivity was significantly associated with multiple hospitalizations. The optimal cutoff value for titin antibody levels related to multiple hospitalizations was 3.085. In patients with non-TMG, titin antibodies were associated with more frequent hospitalizations. For these patients, especially those with titers ≥ 3.085, close monitoring of clinical symptom changes may reduce relapse.