THE EFFECT OF IVIG TREATMENT ON MUSCULAR FUNCTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH ANTIBODY-DEFICIENCY DISORDERS

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment on various muscular functions in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. The subjects comprised 12 outpatients diagnosed as such (seven boys, five girls of mean age 15.5 ± 4.6 yr). Patients performed 15-m timed walk, “Get up and sit down”, hand grip and back strength and concentric isokinetic dynamometer tests to evaluate muscular function. Measurements were done before and 24 hours following the IVIG perfusion treatment. Peak torque, total work, average power, and endurance ratio of the dominant knee flexors and extensors were recorded at two angular speeds via isokinetic dynamometer software. “Get up and sit down” test time scores and back strength results improved significantly following the IVIG treatment (p<0.01). Isokinetic test results revealed significantly higher peak torque, total work, average power, and endurance ratio values for the knee flexors at the angular velocity of 1800/s following treatment (p<0.05-p<0.01). Post-treatment average power scores of the knee extensors at the angular velocities of 60 and 1800/s were significantly higher when compared with pre-treatment (p<0.05). The results of this study indicate that IVIG treatment may have positive effects on some aspects of muscular function in patients with antibody-deficiency disorders.