Clinical Case Challenges: Strategies to Optimize Primary Immunodeficiency Management

Primary care providers, internists, and other general practitioners may be the first to see a patient with PI and require a level of awareness. Yet, a survey issued by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology and the Immune Deficiency Foundation found that only 4% of primary care practitioners were aware that guidelines existed for the diagnosis and management of primary immunodeficiency. Because symptoms can overlap with many other conditions and/or diseases, it is also important that either an allergist or an immunologist evaluate the patient to screen for PI.

The management of PI patients on IgG therapy is extremely complex, and there are various immunoglobulin formulations/delivery systems with different risk/benefit profiles that must be individualized for diverse PI patients. Thus, this activity endeavors to increase the knowledge and competence of PCPs, internists, and other practitioners regarding the diagnosis and treatment of PI in an effort to enhance patient outcomes.

In this activity, Dr. Chong reviews two PI clinical cases and explores strategies that lead to earlier diagnosis and appropriate treatment modalities with a focus on varied disease presentations, common complications, improved drug delivery methodologies, and shared decision making.

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
• Describe clinical strategies for optimizing interdisciplinary care models in PI therapy management.
• Evaluate clinical protocols for screening patients for PI, identifying PI causes, and targeting IgG therapy across patient populations.
• Compare and contrast novel immunoglobulin formulations/delivery systems, their risk/benefit profiles, and which patient populations novel formulations may benefit.
• Examine emerging research data on PI genotypes and phenotypes/other emerging diagnostic strategies, and how the data intersects with novel therapies, existing therapies, and targeted treatment strategies.
• Discuss optimal clinical communication strategies and related shared decision-making tactics for providing optimal management of PI patients.