Efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneously administered immunoglobulin in myasthenia gravis: A systematic review

Abstract

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) is an emerging therapeutic alternative in the management of myasthenia gravis (MG) due to its potential efficacy, safety, cost effectiveness and ease of administration. At present, there are no systematic reviews that summarized the effects of SCIg in patients with MG. The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of SCIg in the treatment of adult patients with myasthenia gravis. Relevant records were identified from August 2018 to January 2019 systematic search. Five relevant articles with a total of 34 patients with MG were included in this review. Data on functional disability score and adverse events were obtained. Based on the included uncontrolled studies, the functional disability scores of adult MG patients after SCIg administration showed consistent improvement. Headache and local site injection reactions were the most common adverse events reported. The evidence from limited uncontrolled studies gathered in this review showed that SCIg may improve functional disability in patients with MG. Local and mild adverse events were reported with its administration, but no systemic and serious adverse events were noted.

Keywords: Myasthenia gravis; Subcutaneous immunoglobulin; Systematic review.