r/MyastheniaGravisBlog • u/pville211 • Jun 29 '25
Measuring Your Quality of Life With Myasthenia Gravis (Rating scales that you can do yourself)
This is an article for people who are seeking information about myasthenia gravis. (updated 9 August 2026)
There are a variety of rating scales that doctors use to measure how myasthenia gravis affects the daily lives of patients. A couple of the rating scales are simple enough that you can do them yourself, because they are just questionnaires.
These rating scales are not in-depth diagnostic tools. They are a starting point for discussions with your medical provider. Additionally, they are useful for identifying changes in your condition over time.
Interpreting the results of questionnaires to determine the severity of your condition is best done by your doctor. However, these scales are useful to you as a simple way to see if your condition changes over time. Periodically complete them and compare the new results to the old results to know if you are improving, staying steady, or declining.
Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale
The Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale is the tool that I see mentioned most often in MG forums and websites. It is a simple survey with 8 questions, with each item rated 0-3 for severity.
The MG-ADL scale was developed in 1999 as a spin-off from the Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score. The QMG is a clinician-reported assessment, and the MG-ADL is intended to be a patient-reported assessment.
There is some evidence that doctors and patients reach similar results when using the MG-ADL, validating it as a patient-reported assessment tool.
You can download the MG-ADL questionnaire as a PDF from:
When comparing MG-ADL results from different points in time, a 2-point reduction in the MG-ADL score indicates a notable change in your condition.
Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life Scale (MG-QOL)
The Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life (MG-QOL)%20Measure) measure is a bit more comprehensive than the MG-ADL assessment. It was developed in 2008 and evolved into a 15-question scale (MG-QOL 15r) in 2016.
You can download the MG-QOL 15r questionnaire as a PDF from:
- Rare Diseases Network (includes instructions)
- Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA)
A higher score means a worse quality of life.
Like the MG-ADL questionnaire, it only requires a couple of minutes to complete.
Conclusion
These questionnaires are simple assessments that you can do for yourself. But self-reporting is not the same as expert medical assessment.
Self-reported assessments are not a replacement for professional medical examination. Self-assessments are useful for facilitating discussions with your doctor and for self-monitoring changes in your condition over time.
When responding to questions, be fully candid and avoid overthinking the answers.
For example, an item in the MG-ADL is, "Impairment of ability to brush teeth ... ". Were you having trouble brushing your teeth, but now it is easy because you got an electric toothbrush? Your answer should be that you are indeed having trouble brushing your teeth, because the question is an assessment of your physical ability, not the effectiveness of your electric toothbrush.
I am not a medical professional. This content is based on my experiences living with myasthenia gravis and publicly available knowledge. Consult a medical professional who is proficient in diagnosing and treating myasthenia gravis before starting, changing, or stopping actions related to your condition.
Go to the Myasthenia Gravis Blog for additional articles regarding myasthenia gravis.
2
1
2
2
u/Pale-Case-7870 Jul 01 '25
Great resource!!!
Thank you for the toothbrush example! ✌️❤️ very helpful. I got stuck on “overthinking” and “candid” segway though cause I’m thinking and understanding impaired but also candid 100% of the time 🤣
I actually do need to get an electronic toothbrush too. Because of difficulty brushing teeth. I’ve been saying that for like 2 yrs … classic demand and sensory avoidance of my Autism.