Effect of intravenous immunoglobulin in patients with post-polio syndrome -- an uncontrolled pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse changes in muscle strength, physical performance and quality of life during intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment in patients with post-polio syndrome.


METHODS
Open clinical trial.


METHODS
A total of 14 patients (6 women, 8 men; mean age 57 years, range 43-67 years) were included in the study.


METHODS
Treatment with 90 g IVIg (30 g daily for 3 days).


RESULTS
Muscle strength, measured with dynamic dynamometry, muscle function, by means of performing the 6-minute walk test, and quality of life, analysed by means of the SF-36 questionnaire, were performed before and after treatment.


RESULTS
For quality of life there was a statistically significant improvement for all but one of the 8 multi-item scales of SF-36 when comparing data before and after treatment with IVIg. The multi-item scale most improved was Vitality. There was no significant increase in muscle strength and physical performance.


CONCLUSIONS
Data indicate that IVIg may have a clinically relevant effect, with an improvement in quality of life. The effect may be due to a decrease in an inflammatory process in the central nervous system, which earlier has been reported in patients with past-polio syndrome after IVIg treatment. Since a possible placebo effect cannot be ruled out, a randomized controlled study is needed.
Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden. georgios.kaponides@ds.se
Georgios
G
Kaponides
Henrik
H
Gonzalez
Tomas
T
Olsson
Kristian
K
Borg
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016207:Cytokines / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
D016207:Cytokines; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous