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How long is IVIg effective in multifocal motor neuropathy?
F Terenghi1, A Cappellari, A Bersano
1Giorgio Spagnol Service of Clinical Neuroimmunology, Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Neurological Sciences, Milan University, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
The authors treated 10 patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) responding to an initial course of IV immunoglobulin (IVIg) with periodic infusion for 5 to 12 years (mean 8.2 years). At last follow-up, only two patients had maintained the maximal improvement achieved during therapy while eight worsened despite increasing Ig dosage. This decline started after 3 to 7 years (mean 4.8 years) of therapy and correlated with a reduction of distal compound muscle action potential amplitudes (p < 0.019). The effectiveness of IVIg in MMN often declines after several years possibly associated with the development of axonal degeneration.