Intravenous and subcutaneous immunoglobulins-associated eczematous reactions occur with a broad range of immunoglobulin types: A French national multicenter study

Background: Human immunoglobulins are used for treating diverse inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Eczema is an adverse event reported but poorly described.

Objectives: To describe the clinical presentation, severity, outcome, and therapeutic management of immunoglobulin-associated eczema.

Methods: This retrospective and descriptive study included a query of the French national pharmacovigilance database, together with a national call for cases among dermatologists.

Results: We included 322 patients. Eczema occurred preferentially in men (78.9%) and in patients treated for neurological pathologies (76%). The clinical presentation consisted mainly of dyshidrosis (32.7%) and dry palmoplantar eczema (32.6%); 5% of cases exhibited erythroderma. Sixty-two percent of the eczema flares occurred after the first immunoglobulin course. Eczema was observed with 13 intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulin types and recurred in 84% of patients who maintained the same treatment and in 68% who switched the immunoglobulin type. After immunoglobulin discontinuation, 30% of patients still had persistent eczema.

Limitations: Retrospective study, with possible missing data or memory bias.

Conclusion: Immunoglobulin-associated eczema occurred with all immunoglobulin types, preferentially in patients with neurologic diseases who required prolonged immunoglobulin treatment. Recurrence was frequent, even after switching the immunoglobulin type, which can lead to a challenging therapeutic situation when immunoglobulin maintenance is required.