Immunodeficient patient experience of emergency switch from intravenous to rapid push subcutaneous immunoglobulin...

Welsh immunodeficient patients on immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IgRT) who were considered high risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were directed to shield. Consequently, patients receiving hospital-based intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) quickly transitioned to home-based self-administered subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg). This evaluation aimed to assess patients' perceptions and experiences and laboratory outcomes of emergency IgRT transition during COVID-19.

A quick transition from in-hospital IVIg to home-based rapid push SCIg is achievable, however, patient IgRT administration preference remains key outside of emergency shielding measures.

Subjective self-reported experiences ( n  = 23) and objective immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration ( n  = 28) assessments were prospectively collected from patients pre/post-IgRT switch. In total, 41/55 (75%) patients transitioned from IVIg to rapid push SCIg and all completed training to self-administer subcutaneously within 24 days. Twenty-two percent ( n  = 5) of patients preferred SCIg and 35% ( n  = 8) wanted to return to hospital-based IVIg at 6 weeks post-transition. Mean IgG levels were similar pre vs. post-SCIg switch (10.3 g/l vs. 10.6 g/l, respectively). Patients reported greater infection anxiety during COVID-19 and adapted behaviours to mitigate risk. Although a third of patients wished to return to IVIg following cessation of shielding, over time the percentage electing to remain on SCIg rose from 22% to 59%.