title: Use of high-dose immunoglobulins in dermatology.
abstract: The treatment of severe autoimmune skin diseases and of toxic epidermal necrolysis (ICD: L51.2) with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) is an established therapeutic procedure in dermatology. As IVIg are usually only administered in rare autoimmune diseases or in particularly severe disease courses, use of immunoglobulins in dermatology is commonly not based on experience from controlled and randomized studies typically demanded by evidence-based medicine. In face of the rarity of indications for IVIg it is improbable that such studies will be performed in the foreseeable future. Further, as the high costs of IVIg treatment limits its use as first-line therapy, no clear guidelines exist yet on IVIg use in skin diseases. The present recommendation is based on a consensus of the Working Group on European Guidelines of the EDF (European Dermatology Forum) and the EADV (European Association of Dermato-Venereology) and should provide aid in decision making for the use of IVIg in treating dermatologic diseases
authors.affiliation: alexander.enk@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Enk
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fierlbeck
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hertl
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Messer
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meurer
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Steinbrink
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stingl
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Volc-Platzer
authors.forename: Detlef
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zillikens
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003880:Dermatology / Q000592:standards*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins