Table 1.
Summary of Study Characteristics and Study Outcomes
| Study | Study Design | Number of Patients | IG Dosage | Observation Period | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barth 2001 (abstract only)11 | Randomized control trial | 28 – IG 28 - Albumin |
5 mL of 16% Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) monthly | 1 year | No significant difference in
But a trend in less prednisolone use in the Ig group (p=0.1) |
| Cowan 20157 | Retrospective longitudinal cohort | 14 | Did not specify but standard dosing as a replacement therapy for immunodeficiency - ~30 g/month. | 1 year | The incidence of AECOPD was consistently and significantly reduced in frequency from mean 4.7 (± 3.1) per patient-year before, to 0.6 (±1.0) after immunoglobulin (Ig) treatment (p=0.0001). There were twelve episodes of severe AECOPD (in seven cases) in the year prior, and one in the year of Ig treatment (p=0.016). |
| McCullagh 20178 | Retrospective case series | Total = 29 (9 Ig treatment, 13 prophylactic antibiotics, 7 no treatment) | 300–600 mg/kg/4-week period every 3–4 weeks for IVIg or every 1–2 weeks for SCIg. Antibiotic regimens: trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 1 double strength tablet twice daily alternating with doxycycline 100 mg twice daily every two weeks, or azithromycin 250–500 mg three times/week |
At least one and up to 10 years before and after diagnosis and treatment initiation | In those receiving Ig, there was a reduction in annual courses of steroid from 12 (4.5–12) to 0.5 (0–1.5) (p=0.031) and annual courses of rescue antibiotic from 9 (5.5–12) to 0 (0–1.5) (p=0.016). Annual acute exacerbations in this group decreased from 4 (3–5.5) to 0.5 (0–1.5) (p=0.016). Numbers were too small to see a difference in annual rates of hospital admission for AECOPD pre-treatment 1.5 (1–3) and post-treatment 0 (0–1.5) (p=0.25). |