Effects of adjunct treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins on the course of severe COVID-19: results from a retrospective cohort study
Figen Esen, Perihan Ergin Özcan, Günseli Orhun, Özlem Polat, İlkay Anaklı, Gülçin Hilal Alay, Verda Tuna, Emre Çeliksoy, Mehmet Kılıç, Mutlu Mercan, Tufan Tükek
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of adjunct treatment with Octagam, an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) product, on clinical outcomes and biomarkers in critically ill COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Data from a single center was analyzed retrospectively. Patients had received preliminary standard intensive care (SIC) according to a local treatment algorithm, either alone or along with IVIG 5% at 30 g/day for 5 days. The two groups were compared regarding baseline characteristics, survival and changes in inflammation markers. Imbalance in baseline APACHE II scores was addressed by propensity score matching. Otherwise, Kaplan-Meier and multiple logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: = .049). CONCLUSION: Clinically relevant benefits through adjunct IVIG treatment in COVID-19 need to be confirmed in a randomized, controlled trial.