High dose intravenous immunoglobulins in systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical and serological results of a pilot study.

Objective. To investigate the effect of high dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. Twelve patients with mildly to moderately active disease were given 30 g of sulfonated IVIG preparation on each of Days 1-4 and 21-24. Results. Within 6 weeks the mean disease activity score, the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM), declined from 7.33 (range 3-15) to 5.25 (range 0-10) (p< 0.01). In 9/12 patients the SLAM dropped by at least 2 points. In 3/12 patients the improvement lasted 5 to 12 months. Within I week after initiation of therapy most patients showed a decline in ds-DNA antibodies, whereas titers of antinuclear antibodies and complement proteins were not affected. The treatment was well tolerated, with the exception of transient hypotension in one patient. Conclusion. In this uncontrolled study, IVIG had temporary beneficial effects in mildly to moderately active SLE.