eISSN: 2299-0046
ISSN: 1642-395X
Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii
Current issue Archive Manuscripts accepted About the journal Editorial board Reviewers Abstracting and indexing Subscription Contact Instructions for authors Publication charge Ethical standards and procedures
Editorial System
Submit your Manuscript
SCImago Journal & Country Rank
5/2022
vol. 39
 
Share:
Share:
Original paper

Retrospective evaluation of adults with primary immunodeficiency disease

Ebru Özdemir
1

1.
Division of Allergy and Immunology, Malatya Training and Research Hospital, Malatya, Turkey
Adv Dermatol Allergol 2022; XXXIX (5): 976-979
Online publish date: 2022/11/09
Article file
- Retrospective.pdf  [0.11 MB]
Get citation
 
 

Introduction

Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) include more than 400 inheritable and heterogeneous disorders [1, 2]. The prevalence of PID is estimated to be 1 in 1000–2000 live births and has high morbidity and mortality [3, 4]. Early diagnosis and effective, timely treatment may prevent morbidity and mortality. The presentation of PID is highly variable because different components of the immune system may be affected. Increased severity or frequency of infection; infection with opportunistic microorganisms; multiorgan or early-onset autoimmune diseases; and the presence of clinical findings of immunodeficiency in patients with syndromic features or malignancy should suggest the diagnosis of PID [5]. In addition, the presence of a positive family history, failure to thrive, lymphopenia, hypogammaglobulinemia, or the need for prolonged intravenous antibiotics should alert the physician to the diagnosis of immunodeficiency. Among all PIDs, predominant antibody deficiencies are the most common type (e.g., agammaglobulinemia, common variable immunodeficiency disease (CVID)) [5].

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and radiological features of adult patients with PID.

Material and methods

This was a retrospective data review conducted at the adult allergy and immunology outpatient clinic. The study included adult patients with predominant antibody deficiencies or combined immunodeficiency who had been receiving immunoglobulin therapy between November 2017 and April 2022. Clinical diagnosis was made in accordance with the European Society of Immunodeficiencies (ESID) guidelines [5]. Data regarding demographic features including age, sex, autoimmunity, enteropathy, malignancy, comorbidities, age of diagnosis, diagnostic time delay, complete blood count, radiological findings, and treatments used, including immunoglobulin therapy and antimicrobial prophylaxis, were collected from the medical files of patients and electronic recording systems.

Informed consent was obtained from all participants. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. This study was approved by the ethics committee (approval number 9/104-26.5.2022).

Statistical analysis

All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA). Results were shown as mean±standard deviation for continues variables. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages.

Results

Of the 23 patients included, 4 (17.4%) were females and 19 (82.6%) were males. The mean age at the time of the study was 38.7 ±16.2 (range: 18–75) years. Time of delay in the diagnosis of immunodeficiency was 14.9 ±15.7 (range: 0.5–49) years. Fourteen (60.9%) patients were diagnosed after the age of 18. Seven (30.4%) patients were newly diagnosed. Five (21.7%) patients had genetic diagnosis. The rate of consanguineous marriage was 36.4%, and the rate of positive family history was 18.2%. Six relatives (two cousins, one nephew, one sister, one brother, and one son) of the patients had PID. General characteristics of the patients are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

General characteristics of the patients with primary immunodeficiency

CharacteristicsValue
Sex (male/female)19 (82.6%)/4 (17.4%)
Current age [years] mean ± SD (min.–max.)38.7 ±16.2 (18–75)
Age at diagnosis [years] mean ± SD (min.–max.)29.8 ±20.6 (0.5–67)
Delay in diagnosis [years] mean ± SD (min.–max.)14.9 ±15.7 (0.5–49)
Consanguinity, n (%)8/22 (36.4)
Family history of PID, n (%):4/22 (18.2)
Comorbidity n (%)Obstructive lung disease3 (13)
Heart disease3 (13)
Sjögren’s syndrome and primary biliary cirrhosis1 (4.3)
Transverse myelitis1 (4.3)
Osteoporosis1 (4.3)
Osteomalacia1 (4.3)
Hypothyroidism1 (4.3)
Drug allergy2 (8.7)
Psoriasis1 (4.3)
Antibiotic prophylaxis, n (%)8/23 (34.8)
Coronavirus 2019 disease history, n (%)10/23 (43.5)
Deaths, n (%)2/23 (8.7)

[i] SD – standard deviation, PID – primary immunodeficiency.

When the patients’ main complaints were evaluated on admission before the diagnosis, sinopulmonary infection was present in 16 (69.6%) patients, pneumonia in 6 (26.1%) patients, diarrhoea in 3 (13%) patients, and lymphadenopathy in 3 (13%) patients. Two patients who were followed up for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were diagnosed with CVID. Six (26.1%) patients had hearing loss associated with recurrent otitis media. Prior to immunoglobulin treatment, 19 patients were hospitalized at least once with a diagnosis of lower respiratory tract disease. During the follow-up period, benign pleural effusion and acute pericarditis developed in 1 patient. A deep vein thrombus developed in another patient with Sjogren’s syndrome and primary biliary cirrhosis, and an inferior vena cava filter was inserted.

Seven (30.4%) patients had gastrointestinal problems. Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy was performed in 10 patients, while lower gastrointestinal tract endoscopy was performed in 9 patients. Inflammatory bowel disease was observed in 3 patients. One patient had colon adenocarcinoma.

When the complete blood counts of the patients were evaluated, thrombocytopenia was found in 7 (30.4%) patients, and neutropenia in 2 (8.7%) patients. Bronchiectasis was present in 13 (65%) patients. Sixteen (72.7%) patients had splenomegaly and/or hepatomegaly. Lymphadenopathy was found in 13 (59.1%) patients. A total of 6 patients had a history of lymphoma, and three of them were diagnosed during the study period. Recurrence of lymphoma was observed in 1 patient who also had Kaposi sarcoma (Table 2).

Table 2

Clinical and radiological characteristics of the patients with primary immunodeficiency

Parametern (%)
Hepatosplenomegaly7/22 (31.8)
Splenomegaly7/22 (31.8)
Hepatomegaly2/22 (9.1)
Lymphadenopathy13/22 (59.1)
Lymphoma6/23 (26.1)
Bronchiectasis13/20 (65)
Anaemia9/23 (39.1)
Thrombocytopenia7/23 (30.4)
Lymphopenia6/23 (26.1)
Neutropenia2/23 (8.7)
Enteropathy7/23 (30.4)
Warts or skin abscesses2/23 (8.7)

Ten (43.5%) patients had coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19), and only 1 patient was hospitalized due to COVID-19 pneumonia. No deaths were observed as a result of COVID-19.

All patients were given immunoglobulin therapy. Twenty-one (91.3%) patients were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and 2 (8.7%) patients were treated subcutaneously. Eight (34.8%) patients were using antibiotic prophylaxis. The immunoglobulin dose was modified based on the patient’s clinical condition and immunoglobulin level. Immunoglobulin levels, complete blood counts, liver and renal function tests, and urinalysis were checked on a regular basis. No complications were observed in any of the patients due to immunoglobulin therapy. Two patients with lymphoma diagnoses died during the follow-up period.

Discussion

Primary immunodeficiency diseases encompass a group of heterogeneous disorders that predispose individuals to recurrent infections, autoimmunity, and malignancies [1, 6]. In the present study, we reviewed the demographical, clinical, and radiological features of adult patients with PID.

Early diagnosis and effective treatment can limit morbidity and mortality, and improve the prognosis of PIDs. However, it is estimated that adults account for 25–40% of all PID diagnoses [7]. The median diagnostic time delay was reported as 10 months in Iran, 29.9 months in Egypt and 5 years in Poland [810]. In a study conducted in Turkey, the median diagnostic time delay was found to be 14 years in adult patients with CVID [11]. In our study, 14 of our patients were diagnosed after the age of 18, and the median diagnostic time delay was found to be 10 years.

The rate of consanguinity observed in our study was 36.4%. This rate was reported as 2.9% in the United Kingdom, 8% in Germany, 60.1% in Iran and 62.5% in Egypt [8, 9, 12, 13]. In other studies from Turkey, the consanguinity rates were found to be 12.9% and 40.9% [11, 14].

In patients with PID, pulmonary complications are prevalent and contribute considerably to morbidity and mortality. Recurrent respiratory infections are frequently the first warning signs and are major causes of death [15]. Approximately 70% of our patients’ first manifestations were recurrent sinopulmonary infections, and 19 patients had a history of hospitalization due to lower respiratory tract disease. One of the most frequent infections among PID patients is recurrent otitis media, and the rates were reported as 71.6% and 29.2% in studies [16, 17]. In our study, 26.1% of patients had hearing loss associated with recurrent otitis media. The risk of developing bronchiectasis is much higher in patients with primary antibody deficiency [18]. In a study from the European Chest CT Group, bronchiectasis was reported to be the most common radiological abnormality (61%) in the respiratory system in patients with primary antibody deficiency [19]. In this study, 20 patients were evaluated with chest computed tomography and bronchiectasis was found to be 65%.

Another site beyond the respiratory system for complications is the gastrointestinal system, which is the second most common. Nearly one-third of PID patients have gastrointestinal system manifestations [20, 21]. Symptoms such as diarrhoea, weight loss, and abdominal pain may be seen as a consequence of infection, inflammation, autoimmunity, or malignancy of the gastrointestinal system. In our study, inflammatory bowel disease was observed in 3 patients, and 4 patients complained of diarrhoea with weight loss. Sixteen patients had splenomegaly and/or hepatomegaly.

According to the literature, PID patients have a 10-fold greater risk of lymphoma when compared to age- and sex-matched individuals [22]. In adults, lymphoma is reported in 8% of patients with CVID [23]. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is reported in 30% to 60% of lymphoma patients associated with PIDs [24]. In this study, the rate of lymphoma was found to be 26.1%. In one of these patients, who also had a recurrence of lymphoma, EBV-associated lymphoproliferation was detected by biopsy.

Most PID patients have major defects in at least one component of adaptive immunity. A tendency for viral and bacterial infections is likely [8]. However, there are few studies reporting COVID-19 cases with underlying PID. In a study conducted in the UK, the hospitalization and mortality rates were found to be 53.3% and 20%, respectively, among PID patients [25]. In another study from Iran, the mortality rate was reported as 42.1%, which is ten times greater than Iran’s general population [26]. In a study from Turkey, the hospitalization rate was found to be 38.4%, and the mortality rate was 7.69%, which is eight times higher than in Turkey’s general population [27]. Among our 23 patients, 10 patients had COVID-19 disease, and only 1 patient with CVID needed hospitalization. None of our patients died due to COVID-19 disease.

In patients with PID, treatment should be initiated promptly as soon as the diagnosis is made. Immunoglobulin therapy is very important in the prevention of complications related to infections. Primary antibody deficiency disorders require intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy and may require antibiotic prophylaxis [28]. Among our patients, 34.8% were using antibiotic prophylaxis. During the study period, no complications were observed in any of the patients due to immunoglobulin therapy.

Conclusions

Primary immunodeficiency diseases have a wide range of clinical manifestations, including severe or unusual infections, autoimmune diseases, and malignancies. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can improve patient’s prognosis. As reported in previous studies and our own study, patients frequently have findings related to more than one organ system, and the diagnosis is often delayed in adults. Recognition and increased awareness of these manifestations is essential for early diagnosis and reducing morbidity and mortality.

Conflict of interest

The author declares conflict of interest.

References

1 

Tangye SG, Al-Herz W, Bousfiha A, et al. Human inborn errors of immunity: 2019 update on the classification from the International Union of Immunological Societies Expert Committee. J Clin Immunol 2020; 40: 24-64.

2 

Tangye SG, Al-Herz W, Bousfiha A, et al. The ever-increasing array of novel inborn errors of immunity: an interim update by the IUIS Committee. J Clin Immunol 2021; 41: 666-79.

3 

Bonilla FA, Khan DA, Ballas ZK, et al. Practice parameter for the diagnosis and management of primary immunodeficiency. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2015; 136: 1186-205.e1-78.

4 

McDonald-McGinn DM, Sullivan KE, Marino B, et al. 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2015; 19: 15071.

5 

Seidel MG, Kindle G, Gathmann B, et al. The European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) Registry working definitions for the clinical diagnosis of inborn errors of immunity. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2019; 7: 1763-70.

6 

Stiehm ER, Sullivan K. Stiehm’s Immune Deficiencies. 1st edn. Elsevier, London 2014.

7 

Lewandowicz-Uszyñska A, Pasternak G, Świerkot J, et al. Primary immunodeficiencies: diseases of children and adults – a review. Adv Exp Med Biol 2021; 1289: 37-54.

8 

Abolhassani H, Kiaee F, Tavakol M, et al. fourth update on the iranian national registry of primary immunodeficiencies: integration of molecular diagnosis. J Clin Immunol 2018; 38: 816-32.

9 

Reda SM, Afifi HM, Amine MM. Primary immunodeficiency diseases in Egyptian children: a single-center study. J Clin Immunol 2009; 29: 343-51.

10 

Grześk E, Dąbrowska A, Urbañczyk A, et al. Common variable immunodeficiency: different faces of the same disease. Adv Dermatol Allergol 2021; 38: 873-80.

11 

Muşabak UH, Demirel F, Yeşillik, S, et al. Adults with common variable immunodeficiency: a single center experience. Turk J Med Sci 2017; 47: 1-12.

12 

Shillitoe B, Bangs C, Guzman D, et al. The United Kingdom Primary Immune Deficiency (UKPID) registry 2012 to 2017. Clin Exp Immunol 2018; 192: 284-91.

13 

El-Helou SM, Biegner AK, Bode S, et al. The German National Registry of Primary Immunodeficiencies (2012-2017). Front Immunol 2019; 10: 1272.

14 

Nepesov S, Aygun FD, Firtina S, et al. Clinical and immunological features of 44 common variable immunodeficiency patients: the experience of a single center in Turkey. Allergol Immunopathol 2020; 48: 675-85.

15 

Yazdani R, Abolhassani H, Asgardoon MH, et al. Infectious and noninfectious pulmonary complications in patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2017; 27: 213-24.

16 

Yarmohammadi H, Estrella L, Doucette J, et al. Recognizing primary immune deficiency in clinical practice. Clin Vaccine Immunol 2006; 13: 329-32.

17 

Owayed A, Al-Herz W. Sinopulmonary complications in subjects with primary immunodeficiency. Respir Care 2016; 61: 1067-72.

18 

Notarangelo LD, Plebani A, Mazzolari E, et al. Genetic causes of bronchiectasis: primary immune deficiencies and the lung. Respiration 2007; 74: 264-75.

19 

Schütz K, Alecsandru D, Grimbacher B, et al. Imaging of bronchial pathology in antibody deficiency: data from the European chest CT group. J Clin Immunol 2019; 39: 45-54.

20 

Picard C, Bobby Gaspar H, Al-Herz W, et al. International union of immunological societies: 2017 primary immunodeficiency diseases committee report on inborn errors of immunity. J Clin Immunol 2018; 38: 96-128.

21 

Hartono S, Ippoliti MR, Mastroianni M, et al. Gastrointestinal disorders associated with primary immunodeficiency diseases. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2019; 57: 145-65.

22 

Mayor PC, Eng KH, Singel KL, et al. Cancer in primary immunodeficiency diseases: cancer incidence in the United States Immune Deficiency Network Registry. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018; 141: 1028-35.

23 

Resnick ES, Moshier EL, Godbold JH, et al. Morbidity and mortality in common variable immune deficiency over 4 decades. Blood 2012; 119: 1650-7.

24 

Shapiro RS. Malignancies in the setting of primary immunodeficiency: implications for hematologists/oncologists. Am J Hematol 2011; 86: 48-55.

25 

Shields AM, Burns SO, Savic S, et al; UK PIN COVID-19 Consortium. COVID-19 in patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency: the United Kingdom experience. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 147: 870-75.

26 

Delavari S, Abolhassani H, Abolnezhadian F, et al. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on patients with primary immunodeficiency. J Clin Immunol 2021; 41: 345-55.

27 

Esenboga S, Ocak M, Akarsu A, et al. COVID-19 in Patients with Primary Immunodeficiency. J Clin Immunol 2021; 41: 1515-22.

28 

Perez EE, Orange JS, Bonilla F, et al. Update on the use of immunoglobulin in human disease: a review of evidence. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 139: 1-46.

Copyright: © 2022 Termedia Sp. z o. o. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/), allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license.
 
Quick links
© 2024 Termedia Sp. z o.o.
Developed by Bentus.