TY - JOUR
T1 - Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in autoimmune neurological disorders: pilot study on early effects on patients' quality of life.
AU - Padua, Luca
AU - Aprile, Irene Giovanna
AU - Caliandro, Pietro
AU - Padua, Roberto
AU - Mazza, Salvatore
AU - Tonali, Pietro Attilio
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - We performed a multi-perspective follow up in 25 patients with autoimmune
neurological disorders treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) to evaluate the early
effects on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Diagnoses were based on clinical
picture, neurophysiological assessment, nerve biopsy, and therapeutic response. As patientoriented
assessment, we used the Short Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36), the most used
generic health tool, and the disability of arm shoulder and hand questionnaire (DASH). Our
data indicate that physical aspects of patients’ HRQoL improve early and strongly after IVIg.
This agrees with the muscle strength improvement previously reported. But, the mental
aspects of the HRQoL are not influenced by the therapies. Traditional outcome assessment
in neurological diseases has always been based on physician-derived and instrumental
findings. Over the last two decades, clinical researchers have underlined the need for a
standardized evaluation of concepts such as HRQoL. We believe that this study represents a
further step toward an evidence-based therapeutic approach of some neurological diseases
and that further fundamental steps should be taken.
AB - We performed a multi-perspective follow up in 25 patients with autoimmune
neurological disorders treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) to evaluate the early
effects on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Diagnoses were based on clinical
picture, neurophysiological assessment, nerve biopsy, and therapeutic response. As patientoriented
assessment, we used the Short Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36), the most used
generic health tool, and the disability of arm shoulder and hand questionnaire (DASH). Our
data indicate that physical aspects of patients’ HRQoL improve early and strongly after IVIg.
This agrees with the muscle strength improvement previously reported. But, the mental
aspects of the HRQoL are not influenced by the therapies. Traditional outcome assessment
in neurological diseases has always been based on physician-derived and instrumental
findings. Over the last two decades, clinical researchers have underlined the need for a
standardized evaluation of concepts such as HRQoL. We believe that this study represents a
further step toward an evidence-based therapeutic approach of some neurological diseases
and that further fundamental steps should be taken.
KW - health-related quality of life
KW - intravenous immunoglobulin
KW - neuropathy
KW - outcome research
KW - health-related quality of life
KW - intravenous immunoglobulin
KW - neuropathy
KW - outcome research
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/15573
M3 - Article
SN - 1085-9489
VL - 9
SP - 3
EP - 6
JO - Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System
JF - Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System
ER -