[Effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulins in polymyositis and dermatomyositis. An open trial in 15 patients].

Polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) are dysimmune diseases usually treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Human polyvalent immunoglobulins administered intravenously (IgIV) are known to be effective in some dysimmune diseases. Between August 1987 and September 1989 we conducted an open trial of IgIV in 15 patients (mean age 44 +/- 14 years) with either PM (12 cases) or DM (3 cases) associated with a collagen disease in 2 patients.