Immunoglobulin shortage: Practice modifications and clinical outcomes in a reference centre

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Immunology

Background:

• Increasing indications for intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) have led to product shortages.
• Raw material scarcity has resulted in IVIg supply issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of IVIg shortage on patient care.
• To assess practice modifications and clinical outcomes in a French referral center.

Main Methods:

• Included patients treated with IVIg for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy, and myasthenia gravis.
• Analyzed treatment modifications and clinical scores from October 2017 to October 2018.

Main Results:

• 78% of patients experienced IVIg treatment modifications, including delays (68%), dose reductions (37%), and interruptions (28%).
• 52% of patients showed clinical deterioration after treatment changes; 28% experienced moderate to significant deterioration.
• Alternative treatments like plasma exchange or corticosteroids were used to conserve IVIg.

Conclusions:

• IVIg shortage significantly altered treatment protocols.
• These alterations negatively impacted the clinical status of a considerable number of patients.