Home-based immunoglobulin infusion therapy: quality of life and patient health perceptions

Thirty-seven antibody-deficient patients who were participating in a multicenter trial evaluating home-based, self-administered IVIG therapy anonymously completed questionnaires regarding beliefs concerning health control, quality of life, and attitudes toward active participation in medical care. Their responses were compared with a group of 29 patients undergoing traditional IVIG therapy in a medical clinic setting. A subsample of the home-based group who later returned to clinic-based IVIG therapy allowed comparison of responses given by the same patients in both settings. Home-based therapy was preferred to clinic-based therapy. Independence, convenience, comfort, decreased disruption of activities, travel time, and costs were specific factors rated most favorably. On the Health Belief Questionnaires, patients preferred informed, self-involved medical care regardless of the setting for their IVIG treatments.