Ocular myasthenia gravis and inflammatory bowel disease: a case report and literature review
- Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Baylor College of Medicine, 6565 Fannin, NC-205, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence to: Dr Rod Foroozan, Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Baylor College of Medicine, 6565 Fannin, NC-205, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Accepted 10 January 2003
Myasthenia gravis has been reported to be associated with both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD).1–3 The link between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and myasthenia gravis (MG) is thought to be related to the production of autoantibodies.1 Myasthenia gravis is also associated with other autoimmune diseases including alopecia, lichen planus, vitiligo, and systemic lupus erythematosus.4
Similarly, IBD frequently presents with other autoimmune disorders. One study demonstrated a 9.4% prevalence of autoimmune disorders in patients with UC including sclerosing cholangitis, thyroid disorders, vitiligo, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, pernicious anaemia, scleroderma, and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.4,5 Despite the association between MG and other autoimmune disorders, there are relatively few reports of ocular findings as the presenting sign of MG in patients with IBD.
Case report
A 21 year old African-American male, with a medical history of biopsy proved ulcerative colitis diagnosed in 1995, …
