Skin score decrease in systemic sclerosis patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin - A preliminary report

The aim of the study was to determine for the first time the response of sy stemic sclerosis (SSc) patients to treatment with intravenous immunoglobuli n (IVIg). Three patients with progressive and rapidly deteriorating disease (mainly affecting the skin) were planned to receive six monthly courses of high-dose IVIg (2g/kg). All had a thorough physical examination, clinical evaluation by the modified Rodnan total skin thickness score, and measureme nt of the titres of PM-Sd antibodies before and after the treatment, and be fore and after each treatment course. Two of the three patients received si x IVIg courses as planned and no adverse effects or disease progression occ urred during the therapy. The third patient received three courses, after w hich he developed renal failure and later died of sepsis. All three patient s had a large decrease in their skin score after the treatment compared to that before the treatment. No modification of PM-Sd antibody titres was not ed in any patient. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) may have a role in the treatment of SSc patients with rapidly deteriorating skin disease. The spe cific indications, as well as the safety of this treatment, should be furth er researched.