HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME: Take the course for this article: Volume 68, Number 11, March 13, 2007 Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Zinman, L. Articles by Bril, V. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Zinman, L. Articles by Bril, V. Related Collections Autoimmune diseases Myasthenia All Clinical trials Clinical trials Randomized controlled (CONSORT agreement) Related Article

IV immunoglobulin in patients with myasthenia gravis

A randomized controlled trial

From the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (L.Z.) and University Health Network (E.N., V.B.), University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. V. Bril, 13N, 1382, Toronto General Hospital, UHN, 585 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2N2; e-mail: vera.bril{at}utoronto.ca

Objective: We aimed to determine the effectiveness of IV immunoglobulin (IVIG) in the treatment of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and worsening weakness in a randomized, placebo-controlled, masked study.

Methods: Fifty-one patients with worsening weakness due to MG were randomized to infusion with 2 g/kg of IVIG or an equivalent volume of IV dextrose 5% in water. The Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) Score for Disease Severity, a validated clinical composite scale, was calculated by a masked observer at baseline and days 14 and 28.

Results: In IVIG-treated patients, a clinically meaningful improvement in QMG Score for Disease Severity was observed at day 14 and persisted at day 28. The greatest improvement occurred in patients with more severe disease as defined by a QMG Score for Disease Severity greater than 10.5.

Conclusion: This study provides level 1 evidence for the effectiveness of IV immunoglobulin in patients with worsening weakness due to myasthenia gravis.

Editorial, see page 803

Disclosure: Talecris (formerly Bayer) provided an unrestricted education grant for this study. Bayer/Talecris was not involved in the study design, conduct of the study, collection and management of data, or interpretation of results. A Bayer statistician provided technical support and review of our own analyses of the data. Bayer/Telecric did not play a role in the preparation or approval of the manuscript..

Received July 14, 2006. Accepted in final form October 19, 2006.

Related Article

IVIG in myasthenia gravis: Getting enough "bang for the buck"

Matthew N. Meriggioli
Neurology 2007 68: 803-804. [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. J. Bhanushali, J. Wuu, and M. Benatar Treatment of ocular symptoms in myasthenia gravis Neurology, October 21, 2008; 71(17): 1335 - 1341. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Gold, R. Hohlfeld, and K. V. Toyka Review: Progress in the treatment of myasthenia gravis Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders, September 1, 2008; 1(2): 99 - 114. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Stangel Review: New advances in the treatment of neurological diseases using high dose intravenous immunoglobulins Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders, September 1, 2008; 1(2): 115 - 124. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Additional articles abstracted in ACP Journal Club Evid. Based Med., October 1, 2007; 12(5): 158 - 158. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. N. Meriggioli IVIG in myasthenia gravis: Getting enough "bang for the buck" Neurology, March 13, 2007; 68(11): 803 - 804. [Full Text] [PDF]