Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) treatment is generally tolerable, but some patients may experience adverse events to one or more SCIG products. We investigated whether 16.5% Cutaquig(®) treatment offered a tolerable and safe alternative treatment for immunodeficient patients. METHODS: A one-year prospective cohort study was conducted at a single center in Ottawa, Canada. Adult immunodeficient patients who reported previous intolerability, adverse events, or other difficulty to other 20% SCIG product(s) were recruited to start on 16.5% Cutaquig(®). Treatment tolerability, safety, and quality of life were observed and described. RESULTS: Seven out of ten patients tolerated Cutaquig(®). There were no serious or severe adverse events related to the treatment. Three moderate infections were reported (two urinary tract infections and one injection site infection). The mean serum IgG level at the end of the study was comparable to baseline levels recorded before the study: 9.6 ± 4.5 vs. 7.6 ± 4.3 g/L, p = 0.07. The overall health and health domain changes in the SF-36 and quality of life tests using the EQ visual analog scale improved by 21.5% (p = 0.38), 16.7% (p = 0.29), and 7.7% (p = 0.23), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaquig(®) may be used as an alternative treatment option for patients who did not tolerate 20% SCIG products.