title: [Are intravenous immunoglobulins useful in severe episodes of autoimmune hemolytic anemia?: Comparative results in 21 episodes from a single centre].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze haemolytic episodes in patients with warm antibody autoimmune haemolytic anemia (AIHA) and compare corticosteroids treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) (group A) or without IVIG (group B).
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study that includes 21 haemolytic episodes occurred in 17 patients (9 males and 12 females), with a median age of 59 years (26-82). In group A, 8 episodes received IGIV + corticosteroids and in group B, 12 episodes received only corticosteroids and one rituximab.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hemoglobin (Hb) value at diagnosis was 1.8 g/dl lower (95% confidence interval: 0.6 to 3.1; P = .007) in group A, with a median Hb of 6.3g/dl in this group vs 7.9 g/dl in group B. There were non-significant differences in red blood cells transfusion (50 vs 23%; P > .20) and global increase of Hb values (7.3 vs 5.6; P > .20). Overall hematological responses were similar: 88 vs 92% (P > .20).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hematological response achieved in more severe episodes with the use of IVIG was similar to non-severe episodes treated without IVIG.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, España. jjgilfer@vodafone.es
authors.forename: Juan José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Gil-Fernández
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Flores Ballester
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González Martínez
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arévalo-Serrano
authors.forename: Ana Teresa
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Tamayo Martín
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burgaleta Alonso de Ozalla
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D006454:Hemoglobins; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D000069283:Rituximab