Subcutaneous immunoglobulin administration: an alternative to intravenous infusion as adjuvant treatment for dermatomyositis?

Authors:	Nicolas Schleinitz, Estelle Jean, Lucas Benarous, Karin Mazodier, Dominique Figarella-Branger, Emmanuelle Bernit, Véronique Veit, Gilles Kaplanski, Jean-Robert Harle
Language:	Eng.
Date:	03-07-2008
Journal:	Clinical Rheumatology (0770-3198)
Release:	Clin Rheumatol. 2008 Aug;27(8):1067-8
Abstract:	Monthly high-dose intravenous administration of human polyclonal immunoglobulins (IVIG) has been shown to be effective as an adjuvant treatment for dermatomyositis. We report a patient with dermatomyositis treated with high doses of immunoglobulins by subcutaneous infusion (SCIG). SCIG was used because of the lack of peripheral and central vein access to continue effective IVIG therapy. The treatment was administered at home, was well tolerated, and was associated to the stabilization of the disease after a 1-year follow-up. Thus, our report suggests that SCIG could be an alternative to IVIG in the treatment of dermatomyositis.
Copyright:	Clinical Rheumatology Department of Internal Medicine, CHU Conception, AP-HM, 13385, Marseille Cedex, France, nicolas.schleinitz@ap-hm.fr.
Full text:	Clinical Rheumatology (DOI) Springer - HTML (needs subscription) Swets Information Services - HTML (needs subscription)