On 5-6 July 2024, Almazov Centre hosted the first Russian Conference on Myasthenia Gravis. The event was organized by the Department of Neurology with Clinic and brought together leading specialists in neuromuscular disorders from across Russia. The opening of the conference commenced with welcoming remarks from Professor Tatiana Alekseeva, Head of the Department of Neurology with Clinic and Dmitry Rudenko, Professor of the Department of Neurology of the First Pavlov State Medical University.
The event was attended by a number of leading neurologists from Russian regions, including Barnaul, Chelyabinsk, Khabarovsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Tomsk, Makhachkala, Moscow and St. Petersburg. The wide geographical spread of participants at this distinctive scientific and educational event underscores the exceptional importance of such conferences for practicing healthcare professionals and the significance of exploring the latest diagnostic and treatment options for myasthenia gravis.
The inaugural day was dedicated to an in-depth examination and discussion of contemporary theoretical insights on myasthenia gravis. In her introductory report, Prof. Tatiana Alekseeva guided the audience through a comprehensive overview of the accumulated knowledge about this disease, from its historical background and pathogenesis to the latest diagnostic criteria. Additionally, S. Lapin, Head of the Diagnostic Laboratory of Autoimmune Diseases at the Centre of Molecular Medicine, presented insights on the serological diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.
The attendees were particularly impressed by the presentation given by A. Smirnova, a neurophysiologist from Almazov Centre. She provided a comprehensive overview of the electrophysiological tests for diagnosing myasthenia gravis, the role of a neurologist in interpreting the results, and the nuances involved in this process.
The experts addressed the diagnostic and management issues of myasthenia gravis and emergencies, talked about the results of the use of ravulizumab in the CHAMPION-MG study, and shared their clinical experiences in treating myasthenia gravis patients across different regions. The presentations by T. Stuchevskaya, P. Isabekova, E. Luneva and S. Stepanova provided valuable insights into patient management in St. Petersburg, Northwestern Federal District, Altai Territory and the Chelyabinsk region. A presentation by T. Pavlova, Head of Medical Rehabilitation Department at the Rehabilitation Clinic of Almazov Centre, addressed the subtleties of organizing telemedicine consultations for neurologists in Russian regions.
The second day of the conference was dedicated to in-depth analyses of patients with different forms and severities of myasthenia gravis. Each patient case prompted a dynamic discussion, with speakers and audience actively exchanging opinions on the difficulties of diagnosis, therapeutic options and ultimately forming expert opinions on the management strategy for each of the patients presented.
The conference provided an opportunity to gain in-depth insights into the diagnostics and treatment of adult patients with myasthenia gravis. It also facilitated a comprehensive clinical case analysis and a collaborative effort between speakers and participants from across Russia, enabling a significant advancement in knowledge and the optimization of complex patient routing protocols in various regions. All participants of this scientific and educational event expressed their appreciation for the value of the Myasthenia Conference in expanding knowledge, sharing experience and forming conceptual and organizational solutions. They also conveyed their hope for continued fruitful cooperation and the establishment of a regular schedule for future conferences on myasthenia gravis.
