Use of immunoglobulins in adults in a university hospital: a retrospective study

New applications are always being developed for immunoglobulins; new recommendations are regularly published. We wished to know the indications used in a large hospital. A hundred and thirty-six adult patients were prescribed immunoglobulins from January to December 2008. Three preparations in intravenous immunoglobulins were available (one liquid, 2 freeze-dried). Fourteen charts were rejected for clerical errors. A hundred and twenty two charts were available for statistical study. Thirty-six patients were on immunoglobulins for antibody deficiency, 19 were followed in haematology for chronic lymphoid leukaemia or multiple myeloma, 19 were treated after lung transplantation, 17 had received a kidney transplant, 1 after heart transplantation: these indications were substitution. Twenty for Guillain Barré and chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy, 10 in immune thrombocytopenic purpura: this was for immunomodulation. Recommendations were followed by the prescribers; charts were reviewed in March and November 2009. Side-effects were rare. (0.6%) (1).