Results of intravenous immunoglobulin use and treatment in the South Province of Turkey

Abstract

Objective In this study, we aimed to evaluate the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in our clinic and investigate the effect of its treatment on diseases in patients with pemphigus. Materials and methods Age, sex, disease, skin biopsy result, duration of illness, treatments received, IVIG adverse effects, and clinical course were recorded by screening medical records of patients with different diagnoses receiving IVIG. The findings were evaluated retrospectively. Findings The total number of cases treated with IVIG was 21. A total of 14 cases were diagnosed as having pemphigus, and three cases were diagnosed as having pyoderma gangrenosum, one (4.8%) case as Sweet syndrome, one (4.8%) case as lichen planus, one (4.8%) case as resistant urticaria, and one (4.8%) case as hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome. The mean time to start IVIG treatment from diagnosis in patients with pemphigus was 2.62±2.3 years (minimum–maximum: 1–10 years). The mean number of cure IVIG treatment cycles given to patients was 11.38±7.63 (minimum–maximum: 1–30). In patients with pemphigus, a partial remission was achieved with an average cure IVIG treatment cycle of 2.71±3.3 (minimum–maximum: 0–10 cures). In three (21.4%) of the pemphigus cases that received IVIG, the treatment was terminated owing to remission. In pemphigus cases where the treatment was terminated owing to remission, the mean number of IVIG cycles was 12.7±5.9 (minimum–maximum: 6–17). Conclusion IVIG treatment has become a reliable treatment option in our clinic, which is preferred owing to successful treatment results and clinical experience in many different diseases, especially pemphigus.