A pilot study about subcutaneous administration of 10% immunoglobulin in patients with primary immune deficiencies: single center experience

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to see the safety, protectivity and adverse events of rapid infusion subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) therapy in our patients for one year duration. Material and methods: 10 patients diagnosed with primary immune deficiency and receiving regular intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) were randomly included to the study, then their IVIG replacement therapy changed as rapidly infused SCIG in same monthly dose. Patients were evaluated in different times for following aspects; serum IgG levels, frequency of infections, side effects, local reactions, and improvement of life quality. IgG levels of patients were measured at the beginning, 3, 6, and 12 months of SCIG replacement treatment. Results: Local reactions were high at the beginning, then decreased with recurrent infusions. Any severe systemic reactions were not observed in patients. Less infection rate was seen in four patients who were not receiving IVIG regularly before with good compliance in all patients. Infection frequency remained same in 4patients. Increased levels of IgG were achieved eight of the patients at end of the 6months and their levels remained as stable at the end of a year. Conclusion: Our study showed that rapid SCIG therapy in same monthly dose with IVIG is as effective as IVIG for preventing infections without any worse systemic reactions.