HIGH-DOSE INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS- CLINICAL AND SEROLOGICAL RESULTS OF A PILOT-STUDY

Objective, To investigate the effect of high dose intravenous immunogl obulins (IVIG) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods, Twelve patients with mildly to moderately active disease were given 30 g of s ulfonated IVIG preparation on each of Days 1-4 and 21-24. Results, Wit hin 6 weeks the mean disease activity score, the Systemic Lupus Activi ty Measure (SLAM), declined from 7.33 (range 3-15) to 5.25 (range 0-10 ) (p< 0.01). In 9/12 patients the SLAM dropped by at least 2 points. I n 3/12 patients the improvement lasted 5 to 12 months. Within 1 week a fter initiation of therapy most patients showed a decline in ds-DNA an tibodies, whereas titers of antinuclear antibodies and complement prot eins were not affected. The treatment was well tolerated, with the exc eption of transient hypotension in one patient. Conclusion, In this un controlled study, IVIG had temporary beneficial effects in mildly to m oderately active SLE.