Facial and emotion recognition deficits in myasthenia gravis

• Autores: García Sanchoyerto, Maddalen; Salgueiro, Mónika; Ortega, Javiera; Rodríguez, Alicia Aurora; Parada Fernández, Pamela; Amayra Caro, Imanol
• Año de publicación: 2024
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Fuente: Healthcare. 2024, 12 (1582)
• Materia: MIASTENIA GRAVIS; DETERIORO COGNITIVO; ENFERMEDADES AUTOINMUNES; DEBILIDAD MUSCULAR; FATIGA; ANSIEDAD; DEPRESION; RECONOCIMIENTO FACIAL DE EMOCIONES
• Institución: Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina

Fil: García Sanchoyerto, Maddalen. University of Deusto. Faculty of Health Sciences. Department of Psychology. Neuro-e-Motion Research Team; España
Fil: Salgueiro, Mónika. University of the Basque Country. Faculty of Psychology. Department of Clinical and Health Psychology and Research Methodology; España
Fil: Ortega, Javiera. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina. Facultad de Psicología y Psicopedagogía. Centro Investigaciones de Psicología y Psicopedagogía; Argentina
Fil: Ortega, Javiera. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina
Fil: Rodríguez, Alicia Aurora. University of Deusto. Faculty of Health Sciences. Department of Psychology. Neuro-e-Motion Research Team; España
Fil: Parada Fernández, Pamela. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric and Psychology; España
Fil: Parada Fernández, Pamela. Universidad Europea del Atlántico. Facultad Ciencias de la Salud. Departamento de Psicología,; España
Fil: Amayra Caro, Imanol. University of Deusto. Faculty of Health Sciences. Department of Psychology. Neuro-e-Motion Research Team; España
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.