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Intravenous immunoglobulins for treatment of connective tissue diseases in dermatology

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Summary

Background

Connective tissue diseases are a heterogeneous group of autoimmune disorders affecting not only skin, but also various organs and systems. First-line treatment of connective tissue diseases is systemic steroids as monotherapy or combined with immunosuppressive drugs. Since intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) have been found to be effective for various autoimmune dermatoses, their indications have expanded tremendously.

Objective

The aim this review article is to highlight the indications, effectiveness, and side effects of high doses immunoglobulins for treatment of patients with connective tissue diseases.

Methods

MEDLINE was searched for prospective clinical studies and case reports on IVIG treatment of lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Included studies were analyzed and discussed in terms of the different disease entities.

Results and conclusion

IVIGs are a valuable alternative for treating therapy-resistant patients with lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, or MCTD. However, more placebo-controlled clinical studies are needed to evaluate the exact indications and therapeutic regimens.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Sofia, 1st, 1431, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Lyubomir A. Dourmishev MD, PhD, Dimitrina V. Guleva MD &  Ljubka G. Miteva MD, PhD

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  1. Lyubomir A. Dourmishev MD, PhD
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  2. Dimitrina V. Guleva MD
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  3. Ljubka G. Miteva MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Lyubomir A. Dourmishev MD, PhD.

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L.A. Dourmishev, D.V. Guleva, and L.G. Miteva declare that they have no competing interests.

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Dourmishev, L.A., Guleva, D.V. & Miteva, L.G. Intravenous immunoglobulins for treatment of connective tissue diseases in dermatology. Wien Med Wochenschr 168, 213–217 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-017-0595-x

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