Intravenous immunoglobulin for prophylaxis of acute exacerbation in Myasthenia Gravis

Abstract

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment for acute exacerbations of Myasthenia Gravis (MG) was shown in several open-label studies. There are only two studies demonstrating the efficiency of regular intermittent IVIg therapy on MG patients who are not in their acute attack periods. Thirteen patients who had displayed an inadequate clinical response to immunosuppressive treatments, or who were not appropriate for immunosuppressive treatment due to the age factor and thus were given regular IVIg therapy, were retrospectively investigated. Moreover, the pre- and post-treatment attack frequencies were also evaluated. The mean number of attacks was 0.0960 attacks/year before IVIg therapy, and 0.0056 attacks/year after IVIg therapy (p = 0.002). The number and severity of the attacks were decreased in all patients. Eight patients (62 %) had used steroids; among them, steroid was completely stopped in two patients following the regular IVIg therapy, and the dose was decreased by 50 % in the other six patients. The requirement for pyridostigmine did not decrease in four patients, whereas this need decreased by 20–50 % in nine patients. IVIg can produce repeated beneficial effects in patients with MG and may be useful as an adjunct in the management of MG. IVIg has minimal adverse effects and ability to reduce corticosteroid dose. These results suggest that intravenous immunoglobulin maintenance therapy is a valid modality in patients with resistant treatment MG.