title: Subcutaneous immunoglobulin in responders to intravenous therapy with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We hypothesized that subcutaneous administration of immunoglobulins (SCIG) in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is feasible, safe and superior to treatment with saline for the performance of muscle strength.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients with motor involvement in maintenance therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) fulfilling the EFNS/PNS criteria for CIDP, aged 18-80 years, were randomized either to SCIG at a dose corresponding to their pre-study IVIG dose or to subcutaneous saline given twice or thrice weekly for 12 weeks at home. At the start and end of the trial as well as 2 weeks before (-2, 0, 10, 12 weeks), isokinetic strength performance of four predetermined and weakened muscle groups was measured. Also, an Overall Disability Sum Score (ODSS), 40-m-walking test (40-MWT), nine-hole-peg test, Neurological Impairment Score (NIS), Medical Research Council (MRC) score, grip strength, standardized electrophysiological recordings from three nerves, and plasma IgG levels were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SCIG treatment was well tolerated in all 14 patients. Six patients complained of mild side-effects at the injection site. In the SCIG group there was an increase of isokinetic muscle strength of 5.5 ± 9.5% (P < 0.05) as compared with a decline of 14.4 ± 20.3% (P < 0.05) in the placebo group; the difference between the two groups being significant (P < 0.01). ODSS, NIS, MRC, grip strength and 40-MWT improved following SCIG versus saline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SCIG treatment in CIDP is feasible, safe and effective, and seems an attractive alternative to IVIG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark. larsmark@rm.dk
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Markvardsen
authors.forename: J-C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Debost
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harbo
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Sindrup
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Otto
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Lassen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jakobsen
mesh_terms: D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007155:Immunologic Factors