Unusual case of recurrent falls: myasthenia gravis in an elderly patient.

Although myasthenia gravis (MG) is usually thought of as affecting young to middle-aged women, similar to other autoimmune diseases, recent evidence suggests that this might be changing. 1-5 In one study, a significant increase in incidence of late-onset MG (P<.05) and decrease in early-onset MG (P<.01) were detected. The median age at onset of the disease steadily increased over time (from 42 years in 1985 to 1990 to 66 years in 2007).(1) In another study, 59% of patients who required treatment with pyridostigmine for the first time for MG were 60 years or older and 38% were 70 years or older.(2) Falls are very common among the elderly, affecting at least a third of those aged 65 years or older. 6 Our patient presented with recurrent falls, at least some of which were likely secondary to undiagnosed MG.