Use of IV immunoglobulins in neurology. Evidence-based consensus

Abstract

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) have become an alternative immunomodulatory treatment for neurological autoimmune disorders. On the basis of several well conducted placebo-controlled trials evidence is available supporting the efficacy of IVIg. However, of all neurological diseases, IVIg is currently only licensed for Guillain-Barre syndrome. Thus, the off-label use of IVIg has to be focussed although an effective treatment must be made available for the patients, in particular when there is no other treatment alternative. The consensus paper presented here critically discusses the modern studies investigating the use of IVIg in neurological diseases. On the basis of this evidence recommendations for the treatment with IVIg were developed. To achieve a broad and valid consensus, numerous German speaking experts in the field were involved. It is expected that this manuscript will help to ascertain a rational use of IVIg in the future.