Relationships between bronchiectasis and time to achieving target trough immunoglobulin G levels in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

Abstract

Background: The main treatment of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is to maintain immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels within the target range. However, trough IgG levels differ among patients with similar body mass index (BMI) and those receiving the same dose of immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT). A crucial factor that underlies these differences is the presence of extensive bronchiectasis, which is associated with the immunoglobulin salvage pathway. Objective: We compared trough IgG levels in patients with CVID and with and in those without bronchiectasis who had received the same dose of IGRT for 2 years to determine the association of IgG level with infection frequency. Method: This retrospective cohort study included 61 patients with CVID, of whom 21 had bronchiectasis. We reviewed the electronic records for demographic variables, baseline immunoglobulin levels, mean trough IgG levels over 2 years, efficacy levels (trough IgG level ‐ baseline IgG level), the time interval from treatment initiation to achieving the target trough IgG level (700 mg/dL), and the number of infections. Results: The median age of the patients was 39 years (IQR, 27‐51), and 29 were women (47.5%). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, age at diagnosis, delay in diagnosis, sex, BMI, IGRT type (subcutaneous or intravenous), and baseline immunoglobulin levels. Trough IgG and efficacy levels were lower (P < 0.001 and P = 0.016, respectively), the time required to achieve the target IgG level was longer in patients with bronchiectasis than in those without bronchiectasis, and this time interval was significantly associated with the infection frequency. Trough IgG and albumin levels were correlated (p = 0.007), with minor differences between the groups (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Bronchiectasis was significantly associated with a longer time to achieve the target IgG levels. These long-term differences between the patients with and those without bronchiectasis have significant clinical implications.