Subcutaneous immunoglobulin replacement therapy: the European experience

Rapid subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) infusions have been used as an important method of delivering replacement immunoglobulin (Ig) to patients with primary immune deficiencies (PIDs) in Europe over the last 25 years. This review provides a comprehensive interpretation of the literature relating to the administration of SCIg and the services that have been developed alongside.

Using rates of at least 20 ml/h per infusion site and simultaneous sites, the infusion time once per week is short (1-2 h in adults) and using small portable pumps, the child or adult is free for other activities during the therapy. The rapid SCIg infusions have been documented as well tolerated, efficacious and acceptable to infants and their parents, children, adults and elderly patients, and more recently to patients with autoimmunity requiring immunomodulatory Ig doses.

As part of PID diagnostic and management services, educational programmes for self-infusion of both intravenous Ig and SCIg at home have been developed throughout Europe, resulting in increased patient compliance and patient empowerment as well as cost-savings for healthcare providers.