title: [The role of intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of rheumatic diseases in adults].
abstract: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) preparations have been used as substitutional treatment in hypogammaglobulinemia for a long time. IVIG has now become an important treatment option in a number of clinical indications including autoimmune and acute inflammatory conditions. The mechanism of action is complex and not fully understood. The role of IVIG in many rheumatic diseases remain unclear and controversial because there are no randomized studies to support the use of IVIG. In 2006 the Department of Health in the UK started a process to review the use of immunoglobulin in various clinical indications and in 2008 the clinical guidelines for immunoglobulin use were published. Despite the introduction of newer biologic treatments IVIG could be a good treatment options in same patients with rheumatic diseases. Frequently they are used as second-line drugs after failure of therapy with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. As a first-line drugs in addition to Kawasaki disease the use of IVIG can be considered in the treatment of systemic connective tissue diseases when there are contraindications to the use of corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs, there are associated infections (including tuberculosis) and in pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: Akademia Medyczna we Wrocławiu, Katedra i Klinika Reumatologii i Chorób Wewnetrznych. jurekswierkot0@poczta.onet.pl
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swierkot
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lewandowicz-Uszyńska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007239:Infections / Q000139:chemically induced; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous