Facial and Emotion Recognition Deficits in Myasthenia Gravis

Autor: Maddalen García-Sanchoyerto, Monika Salgueiro, Javiera Ortega, Alicia Aurora Rodríguez, Pamela Parada-Fernández, Imanol Amayra
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Healthcare, Vol 12, Iss 16, p 1582 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2227-9032
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12161582
Popis: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease of autoimmune etiology and chronic evolution. In addition to the muscle weakness and fatigue that characterize MG, in some studies patients show an inferior performance in cognitive tasks and difficulties in recognizing basic emotions from facial expressions. However, it remains unclear if these difficulties are due to anxious–depressive symptoms that these patients present or related to cognitive abilities, such as facial recognition. This study had a descriptive cross-sectional design with a sample of 92 participants, 52 patients with MG and 40 healthy controls. The data collection protocol included measures to assess recognition of facial expressions (BRFT), facial emotional expression (FEEL), and levels of anxiety and depression (HADS). The MG group had worse performance than the control group in recognizing “fear” (p = 0.001; r = 0.344), “happiness” (p = 0.000; r = 0.580), “disgust” (p = 0.000; r = 0.399), “surprise” (p = 0.000; r = 0.602), and “anger” (p = 0.007; r = 0.284). Likewise, the MG group also underperformed in facial recognition (p = 0.001; r = 0.338). These difficulties were not related to their levels of anxiety and depression. Alterations were observed both in the recognition of facial emotions and in facial recognition, without being mediated by emotional variables. These difficulties can influence the interpersonal interaction of patients with MG.
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