Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment in Chronic Neurological Diseases: Do We Have Maintenance Dose Right?
Author
Source
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-5, 5 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-12-17
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
5
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
|Objectives.
We tried to define, on individual basis, minimal effective maintenance dose of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) in 26 patients with chronic neurological conditions requiring long-term IVIG treatment.
Methods.
Clinical criteria were reviewed in individual cases (Phase 1) followed by titration phase (Phase 2, 12 months) and posttitration/follow-up phase (Phase 3, 3 months).
Objective neurological examination and patient self-reports were used for clinical follow-up.
Results.
69.2% of patients reported condition as stable, 26.9% as better, and 3.9% as mildly worse.
Original mean monthly dose was 1 g/kg; over the period of 12 months we reduced dose of IVIG to mean dose 0.67 g/kg (range 0.3–2.5 g/kg, P<0.0001) which meant reduction by 36.4%.
We identified 4 nonresponders and diagnosis in one case was reclassified to degenerative disease.
In follow-up phase we reduced dose further to 0.60 g/kg.
Cumulative monthly dose dropped from 2040 g to 1298 g and to 991 g, respectively.
Financial expenses were reduced significantly (by −36.4% during titration phase and by −51.4% during follow-up phase) (comparing with baseline) (P<0.0001).
Conclusion.
Individual dose titration leads to significant maintenance IVIG dose reduction with preserved clinical efficacy.
Maintenance dose below 1 g/kg (in our study around 0.7 g/kg) has acceptable risk/benefit ratio.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Dolezal, Ondrej. 2014. Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment in Chronic Neurological Diseases: Do We Have Maintenance Dose Right?. Autoimmune Diseases،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1015323
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Dolezal, Ondrej. Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment in Chronic Neurological Diseases: Do We Have Maintenance Dose Right?. Autoimmune Diseases No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1015323
American Medical Association (AMA)
Dolezal, Ondrej. Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment in Chronic Neurological Diseases: Do We Have Maintenance Dose Right?. Autoimmune Diseases. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1015323
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1015323