Risk factors and outcomes of hypogammaglobulinemia after lung transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) frequently occurs after solid organ transplantation; however, the prevalence and implications of HGG after lung transplantation are not well defined. The authors aimed to define the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of patients with severe HGG after lung transplantation. METHODS.: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of 57 lung transplant recipients at their center. Quantitative total and subclass immunoglobulin (Ig) G levels were obtained from patients.


RESULTS
Thirty-four (60%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 46%-72%) patients had low IgG levels (IgG <700 mg/dL); of these, eight (14%; 95% CI, 6%-26%) had severe HGG (IgG <400 mg/dL). Female patients had a higher risk of severe HGG than male patients (25% vs. 0%, P=0.007), and patients who underwent transplantation for emphysema had a higher risk of severe HGG than others (P=0.04). Patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome had a higher risk of severe HGG than those without (50% vs. 10%, P=0.03). Severe HGG was associated with an increased risk of pneumonia (P=0.01) and worse survival (P=0.04) but with neither the incidence of cytomegalovirus disease (P=0.54) nor a subsequent diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (P=0.70).


CONCLUSIONS
The authors have documented a high prevalence of HGG after lung transplantation. Emphysema, female gender, and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome are risk factors for severe HGG. Patients with severe HGG had a higher cumulative incidence of pneumonia and worse survival. Studies of the efficacy and safety of IgG supplementation after lung transplantation should be pursued.
Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA. sk2097@columbia.edu
Steven M
SM
Kawut
Lori
L
Shah
Jessie S
JS
Wilt
Edward
E
Dwyer
Patricia A
PA
Maani
Theresa M
TM
Daly
Mitchell K
MK
O'Shea
Joshua R
JR
Sonett
Selim M
SM
Arcasoy
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000361:Agammaglobulinemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000077561:Daclizumab; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000077561:Daclizumab