Disease Info

Common symptoms
The clinical presentation of IgG4-RD is usually indolent, with signs and symptoms becoming evident over months or even years. Most characteristic are pseudotumor-like lesions involving single or multiple organs. Different organs might be affected at the same time or one after the other. Clinical manifestations are non-specific, vary according to the organs, and relate to the mechanical compression exerted by the fibrotic masses on local structures.
The most common manifestations include autoimmune pancreatitis, chronic periaortitis, retroperitoneal fibrosis and salivary or lachrymal gland swelling. Atypical presentations of IgG4-RD include tubulointerstitial nephritis, glomerulonephritis, interstitial lung disease, pleural and pericardial effusion.

It is with a great pleasure that ERN ReCONNET invites you to register at the 5th International Symposium on IgG4-Related Disease that will be held for the first time in Europe from April 4th to April 6th 2024 at the Star Rosa Grand Hotel (Milan, Italy).

ERN ReCONNET has endorsed this important international meeting chaired by our IgG4-related disease Working Group Coordinator Prof. Della Torre, from Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (Milan, Italy). In addition, experts from our Network will be invited as speakers and moderators of this unique event focused on IgG4-related disease.

Deadline for registration is March 1st 2024.

All the information and links can be found here.

Diagnosis (path/ tests / differential diagnosis)
Definitive diagnosis of IgG4-RD requires rigorous clinical-pathological correlation because clinical assessments, laboratory evaluations, and imaging studies are often insufficient to distinguish neoplastic, inflammatory and infectious mimickers.
Serological findings in patients with IgG4-RD are largely non-specific. Serum IgG4 elevation occurs in 55 to 97% of cases and correlates with the number of organs involved and the risk of relapse. However, an increase in serum IgG4 has poor specificity for diagnostic purposes because it can be observed in a broad spectrum of neoplastic, infectious, and autoimmune diseases.
Radiological findings are usually nonspecific in most affected organs except in case of IgG4-related pancreatitis where imaging classically shows a diffusely enlarged ‘sausage-shaped’ pancreas with a surrounding halo of edematous tissue. Because of the shortcomings of serological and radiological findings, histological examination remains the mainstay for definitive diagnosis and should be performed whenever possible. Characteristic findings comprise dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltration together with tissue fibrosis, and obliterative phlebitis.
Immunostaining is an essential part of the histological diagnosis of IgG4-RD, requiring a careful assessment in three aspects: the number, ratio, and distribution of IgG4+ plasma cells. To overcome these diagnostic challenges, experts developed the 2019 “ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for IgG4-Related Disease” whereby a patient is classified if a cumulative score of ≥ 20 points is obtained.

Treatments overview
In general, treatment is not required for all patients with IgG4-RD, and watchful waiting is prudent in some cases.
When vital organs are involved or patients become symptomatic, treatment is needed to prevent organ dysfunction and failure. Response to treatment might be assessed by means of the IgG4-RD Responder Index, a validated tool for monitoring clinical, radiological and serological outcomes of IgG4-RD.
Glucocorticoids represent the first-line therapy because they lead to dramatic clinical responses in the majority of cases.
A variety of steroid-sparing agents have been employed in different anatomical districts as remission-maintenance drugs (e.g. azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide).
In addition, the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab has been proved to induce swift clinical responses and a decline of serum IgG4 titre in patients with recurrent or refractory disease. When urgent decompression is needed, as in the case of biliary duct or ureteral strictures, temporary stenting or surgical approaches remain the strategy of choice for preventing organ damage

Prognosis
If left untreated IgG4-RD can lead to severe organ dysfunction.
Long-term prognosis largely depends on the affected organs and on a timely institution of adequate immunosuppressive therapy in order to prevent fibrotic damage. IgG4-RD has a marked tendency to relapse, especially in patients with elevated serum IgG4 at baseline, multiorgan involvement, and a history of disease relapse.

When to see a doctor?
IgG4-RD can be suspected in case of one or more gland or organ swelling, especially in case of salivary/lacrimal gland or pancreatic enlargement that might be clinically evident or identified on imaging studies. Serum IgG4 elevation may increase the probability of having IgG4-RD but histological examination if required to rule important differential diagnoses such as malignancies. “Red flags” that may trigger the suspicion for the disease are currently investigated.

Lifestyle tips
– Avoid being overweight:

The Lived Experiences of IgG4-RD Patients (link)

The Lived Experiences of IgG4-RD Patients (pdf)

The emerging advocacy landscape for IgG4-related disease: an advocate’s quest to build a new patient organisation

Written by Geoff Case, digital editor, RARE Revolution Magazine. Interview with Ilaria Galetti, patient advocate

ERN ReCONNET publications are available for consultation.