Selective high dose gamma-globulin treatment in Kawasaki disease: Assessment of clinical aspects and cost effectiveness

Background: High-dose intravenous gamma-globulin (IVGG) plus aspirin (ASA) treatment is effective in preventing coronary artery complications in acute Kawasaki disease (KD). However, gamma-globulin is very expensive, especial ly in Japan. Furthermore the indication for IVGG treatment and the optimal dose of gamma-globulin remain controversial. Objectives: To examine these two issues, we used Harada's scoring system to investigate whether a single 2 g/kg dose therapy has any advantage over th e 5 day 400 mg/kg per day therapy. Methods: We studied 203 patients with KD who had no coronary artery complic ations on admission. Of these, 145 patients scored 4 or more on Harada scor e within the first 9 days of illness and were treated with IVGG treatment. Using a random number table, 72 patients were selected to receive a single 2 g/kg dose (2 g group), while the remaining 73 patients were treated with 400 mg/kg; per day for 5 consecutive days (400 mg group). Those who had a H arada score of three or less received no IVGG (non-IVGG group) treatment (5 8 patients). Results: The incidence rate of coronary artery complications in the 2 g gro up was significantly lower than in the 400 mg group. The duration of high f ever, positive duration of C-reactive protein and the number of hospital da ys in the 2 g group were each significantly shorter than in the 400 mg grou p. The total medical expense in the 2 g group was significantly lower than in the 400 mg group. There were no coronary artery complications in the non -IVGG group. Conclusions: It was found to be clinically more effective and more cost eff ective to select a patient by Harada's scoring system and, where a score of four or more was obtained, to administer a single 2 g/kg intravenous dose of gamma-globulin for acute KD.