Functional and Cutaneous Treatment Outcomes With Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Eosinophilic Fasciitis: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare subtype of deep morphea with an elevated risk of functional impairment. No treatment algorithm has been established for adults with EF refractory to traditional corticosteroid or immunomodulatory treatments. Research on cutaneous and functional outcomes of alternative therapies, such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), remains scarce.  Objective: To describe the functional and cutaneous outcomes associated with IVIG in adults with treatment-refractory EF at a tertiary referral center.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 18 consecutive patients with EF identified through a billing code search seen within the UCSF Department of Dermatology between 2015 and 2022.  Results: Seven patients (41.2%) underwent at least one course of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) during the study period. Of 6 patients with available follow-up data, 5 patients (83.3%) achieved both sustained cutaneous and functional improvement. In the IVIG cohort, 1 patient (16.7%) achieved complete response with relapse, 4 (66.7%) were partial responders, and 1 (16.7%) was a non-responder who required treatment with mepolizumab.

CONCLUSION: Adverse effects of IVIG included headaches in 1 patient (14.3%) and rash in 2 patients (28.6%). There were no reported veno-occlusive or thromboembolic events associated with IVIG.  J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(4):8017.    doi:10.36849/JDD.8017e.