Predicting Severe Infection and Effects of Hypogammaglobulinemia During Therapy With Rituximab in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases

Abstract

Immunoglobulin levels should be monitored at baseline and before each RTX cycle to identify patients at risk of SIEs. Individualized risk-benefit assessment should be undertaken in those with lower IgG as this is a consistent SIE predictor and may increase infection profiles when RTX is switched to different therapies.