INCLUSION-BODY MYOSITIS - TREATMENT WITH INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN

We report the results of nine patients with inclusion body myositis tr eated with intravenous immunoglobulin in an open-label uncontrolled st udy. None of our patients improved on objective manual muscle testing or functional disability scores. One patient developed mild neutropeni a, complicating the intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Our results do not exclude the possibility that intravenous immunoglobulin could b e beneficial in some patients by slowing the rate of deterioration or perhaps stabilizing the disease. However, given the lack of objective improvement and high cast of treatment, we would not recommend intrave nous immunoglobulin in the treatment of inclusion body myositis unless a blinded, controlled trial demonstrates clear benefit.