Immunoglobulin Therapy in Infertile Women: Safety and Tolerance

Abstract

Elena Santaines-Borreda, Miguel Dolz-Arroyo, Ramon Camano-Puig P, Rosa-Ferrer Loro

Introduction and Objectives: According to most recent surveys, infertility rates are very high in Spain. Even so, current therapeutic options for increasing fertility are challenging. Immunological causes of infertility such as an increase in natural killer cells have been studied in recent work, for example by using immunoglobulins. Providing care and support for women during such treatments is the traditional responsibility of nursing professionals. The objective of this study was to understand how patients adapt to treatments with immuno globulins at FIV Valenciai .

Methods: Retrospective observational study which monitored 40 intravenous immunoglobulin infusions: 400 mg/kg in 27 cases and 200 mg/kg in 13 cases. The state of women’s health was studied with home monitoring, and women’s answers about their health statuses were measured using Liker scales with four values. These identified the occurrence of symptoms and the need for analgesic therapy. The data was analyzed using SPSS.

Results: Vital sign monitoring reflected values within the normal limits during all 40 infusions; the figures decreased slightly during the infusion but subsequently returned to normal. More women (59.3%) treated with 400 mg/kg intravenous immuno globulins (IVIG) manifested symptoms compared to 38.5% of women treated with 200 mg/kg IVIG (p = 0.185). The only common symptom that appeared was a headache which easily resolved after analgesic therapy.

Conclusion: Nurses play a very important role in the implementation of IVIG therapy. These results show that women adhere well to this therapy at FIV Valencia and none of them reported any severe symptoms. Our findings may facilitate the design of future research studies aimed at improving care for infertile women.

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