EXPERT INSIGHTS: Myasthenia Gravis and symptom assessment tools to improve outcomes
How do we truly understand what life is like for someone living with myasthenia gravis?
In this insightful webinar, Dr Carlo Antozzi, Senior Neurologist and Head of the Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit at the Besta Neurological Institute in Milan, takes us inside the evolving world of MG care – one where patients’ voices are finally being heard as loudly as the data.
Dr Antozzi’s warmth, expertise, and more than 30 years of clinical experience make this a must-watch conversation for anyone wanting to understand the human side of myasthenia gravis.
Watch the Webinar Below
A Shift in MG Care: Listening Beyond the Symptoms
Dr Antozzi reflects on how far the field has come since he saw his first patient in 1982. Then, treatment was focused almost entirely on symptom control. Today, it’s about partnership, recognising that patients’ lived experiences hold as much value as clinical results.
He explains that the most effective management now includes:
- Patient-reported outcomes alongside physician assessments
- Consistent use of scales such as MG-ADL (Activities of Daily Living)
- Regular conversations about how the condition impacts daily life, mental health, work, and relationships
“We learned that the patient must be included in the therapeutic path,” Dr Antozzi shares. “It’s not only about prescribing drugs – we must think about the patient in a holistic way.”
The Power of the MG-ADL
One of the most practical shifts in modern MG care is the use of the MG-ADL scale – a simple eight-item questionnaire covering speech, swallowing, breathing, mobility, and vision.
It gives both doctors and patients a shared language for tracking change over time.
Importantly, it can be done in person or remotely, making it easier for patients to stay connected with their care teams between appointments.
Dr Antozzi emphasises that this scale is now used not only in clinical trials but also in everyday outpatient clinics around the world.
Quality of Life: The New Standard
In the past, “success” in MG treatment meant symptom reduction. Now, the focus is broader – improving quality of life.
This includes sleep, emotional wellbeing, energy, and social connection.
Dr Antozzi notes that recent studies show MG affects far more than muscle strength: it can limit work, family life, and the ability to plan ahead.
He also highlights the growing awareness of caregiver impact. Many carers dedicate over 50 hours a week to supporting loved ones – effectively taking on a second job.
Why This Conversation Matters
Dr Antozzi’s insights remind us that research and empathy must move hand-in-hand.
His message is clear: the best outcomes come when patients and clinicians work together – sharing decisions, tracking progress, and never losing sight of the person behind the diagnosis.
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, patient, or caregiver, this webinar offers a grounded, compassionate view of what MG management looks like today – and where it’s heading next.
Closing Thought
Every conversation like this one helps build a future where MG care is more informed, inclusive, and human.
We invite you to watch, learn, and share this webinar with anyone touched by myasthenia gravis.