Exploring advances in MG: An interview with Dr Guilhem Solé

We had the privilege of conducting an enriching interview with Dr Guilhem Solé, an expert emeritus at the AOC Neuromuscular Diseases Reference Centre at the University Hospital of Bordeaux. Dr Solé shares his insightful perspective on the key challenges currently facing healthcare professionals in the management of patients with myasthenia gravis.

First and foremost, Dr Solé identifies the major challenge of personalising treatments for each patient. Finding the optimal drug, personalised to maximise efficacy while minimising side effects, is proving to be a complex task. He points to the emergence of new therapies under evaluation or already on the market, which opens the way to a second challenge: determining the best combination of these treatments and defining their place in the therapeutic armamentarium. Particular attention is also paid to the issue of medical training. Dr. Solé stresses the importance of training health professionals, especially doctors, to speed up the diagnostic process. With this in mind, he raises the possibility of introducing diagnostic tools for general practitioners, offering a quick and effective approach to identifying rare diseases such as myasthenia gravis.

The sensitive issue of mental health in the context of myasthenic patients is also addressed. Dr Solé highlights the complex interaction between the mental and physical states of patients. He emphasised the importance of therapeutic education, highlighting specific workshops on managing emotions and recognising hidden disabilities.

Dr Solé is cautiously optimistic about the future of rare diseases such as myasthenia gravis. He points to the move towards increasingly personalised treatments, taking into account the co-morbidities associated with an ageing population. He also calls for international collaboration, both in research and in raising awareness, to address these complex challenges more effectively and consistently.

Dr Solé concluded by emphasising the need for close cooperation between countries. He emphasised the importance of sharing databases for more in-depth research and working to harmonise therapeutic practices internationally. He also highlights the inequalities in care between countries and the crucial role of general practitioners, particularly in remote areas, in ensuring that patients receive equitable care.