Table 2.
Treatment details
| Variable | N=30 |
|---|---|
| Mean treatment length (months), mean (SD) | 9.4 (6.9) |
| Total number of IVIG cycles, mean (SD) | 8.5 (5.3) |
| Concomitant Medications*, no. (%) | |
| Prednisone | 10 (33.3) |
| Methotrexate | 3 (10.0) |
| Cyclophosphamide | 6 (20.0) |
| Hydroxychloroquine | 1 (3.3) |
| Mycophenolate mofetil | 21 (70.0) |
| Imatinib | 1 (3.3) |
| Side effects, no. (%) | |
| Headache (note 1 with aseptic meningitis) | 12 (40.0) |
| Fatigue | 7 (23.3) |
| Nausea and/or emesis | 4 (13.3) |
| Fever | 3 (10.0) |
| Arthralgias and/or myalgias | 3 (10.0) |
| Rash and/or pruritis | 3 (10.0) |
| Generalized weakness | 3 (10.0) |
| Hypertension | 2 (6.7) |
| Chest discomfort | 2 (6.7) |
| Leukopenia | 2 (6.7) |
| Transient ischemic attack | 1 (3.3) |
| Dyspnea | 1 (3.3) |
| Diarrhea | 1 (3.3) |
| Decreased appetite | 1 (3.3) |
| Palpitations | 1 (3.3) |
| Fluid retention | 1 (3.3) |
| Lightheadedness | 1 (3.3) |
| Aura/flashing lights | 1 (3.3) |
| Increased Raynaud’s activity | 1 (3.3) |
| Acute kidney injury | 1 (3.3) |
| Hyperkalemia | 1 (3.3) |
| Hypokalemia | 1 (3.3) |
| Transaminitis | 1 (3.3) |
| Reason IVIG discontinued*** | |
| Improvement** | 18 (60.0) |
| Stable** | 4 (13.3) |
| Insurance denial | 2 (6.7) |
| Progressing** | 1 (3.3) |
| Aseptic Meningitis | 1 (3.3) |
| Transient ischemic attack | 1 (3.3) |
| Patient moved out of the country | 1 (3.3) |
| Death | 1 (3.3) |
*
No patients were on concomitant therapy with azathioprine, D-penicillamine, minocycline, colchicine, leflunomide or TNF-inhibitors.
**
These were defined by the treating physician’s clinical judgment.
***
One patient was continuing to receive IVIG at the time of this study.