Illness perception characteristics and influencing factors in adult patients with myasthenia gravis in China.

Objective: We aimed to examine the illness perception characteristics of patients with myasthenia gravis and analyze the associated factors.

Methods: A general information questionnaire, Illness Perception Questionnaire, and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire were used to survey 90 patients with myasthenia gravis. One-way analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression were used for statistical analysis.

Results: The timeline (acute/chronic), consequence, and emotional representation scores of patients with myasthenia gravis were 18.31 ± 4.47, 18.58 ± 3.57, and 20.80 ± 4.56, respectively. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis showed that marital status, disease duration, educational level, disease type, and coping style are factors associated with illness perception in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Conclusion: Patients who have myasthenia gravis have a negative illness perception. Medical professionals should provide targeted intervention measures based on the factors associated with illness perception.