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Neuromuscular disease

IVIg for neuromuscular disease—effective but expensive

The American Academy of Neurology has published guidelines for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment of neuromuscular diseases. These guidelines differ from those in Europe owing to different conventions for grading of recommendations. Although IVIg is an effective treatment for inflammatory neuropathies and neuromuscular diseases, it is much more expensive than alternative therapies.

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Figure 1: Summary of recommendations for IVIg use in neuromuscular disorders.

References

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Correspondence to Richard A. Hughes.

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R. A. Hughes is a consultant for Baxter, CSL Behring, Grifols/Talecris, LFB and Octopharma, and is Editor of the Cochrane Neuromuscular Review Group. M. P. Lunn is a consultant for Baxter and Grifols/Talecris, and is co-Chief Editor of the Cochrane Neuromuscular Review Group.

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Hughes, R., Lunn, M. IVIg for neuromuscular disease—effective but expensive. Nat Rev Neurol 8, 303–305 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2012.92

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