Clinical use of intravenous immunoglobulin in Taiwan: A 10-year population study

Abstract

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is used in the treatment of immunological, inflammatory and neurological conditions. We aimed to describe the trends in IVIG utilization in Taiwan. We identified patients receiving IVIG through the national health insurance (NHI) database. We described the distribution of IVIG use according to main indications. During 2008-2017, IVIG distribution grew 10% per year on average. The population IVIG dose was 8.0 g per thousand capita. Among the total distribution, approximately 60% were NHI-reimbursed. Pediatrics (52.3%), rheumatology (14.0%) and hematology/oncology (11.4%) accounted for the top three services in terms of IVIG consumption. Primary and secondary immune deficiency (29.8%), Kawasaki disease (20.5%) and thrombocytopenia (16.8%) were the top three indications. Neurological conditions only accounted for 3%. In brief, unlike countries with high population use, the proportion of reimbursed IVIG used for neurological conditions was low. Further studies on self-paid IVIG use is needed to completely understand utilization in Taiwan.

Keywords: Intravenous immunoglobulin; National health insurance database; Taiwan.