A controlled study of intravenous immunoglobulin in demyelinating neuropathy with IgM gammopathy

Ann Neurol. 1996 Nov;40(5):792-5. doi: 10.1002/ana.410400516.

Abstract

Eleven patients with demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal IgM antibodies were randomized to receive IVIg or placebo, monthly, for 3 months in a double-blind study. After a washout period, they crossed over to the alternate therapy. Response was gauged by evaluating muscle strength, sensation, and neuromuscular symptoms at baseline, after 3 months, and at treatment's end. After IVIg therapy, the strength improved in only 2 of 11 patients, by 28 and 38.5 points from baseline, and declined after placebo. In 1 other patient, the sensory score improved by 13 points. Antibody titers to MAG/SGPG or gangliosides did not appreciably change. We conclude that IVIg has only a modest benefit to not more than 18% of patients with IgM paraproteinemic demyelinating neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Antibody Formation
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Demyelinating Diseases / complications
  • Demyelinating Diseases / immunology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / therapy*
  • Female
  • Globosides / immunology
  • Glycolipids / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M*
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraproteinemias / immunology
  • Paraproteinemias / physiopathology
  • Paraproteinemias / therapy*
  • Placebos

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Globosides
  • Glycolipids
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Placebos
  • sulfate-3-glucuronyl paragloboside