CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH SCLERODERMA: AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO THE USE OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN DRUG THERAPY

Abstract

This article sought to analyze the clinical management of systemic sclerosis from an integrative perspective, with an emphasis on the role of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as a complementary therapeutic alternative. This is an exploratory and descriptive research, carried out through an integrative literature review of the SciELO, PubMed, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, including articles published between 2015 and 2025. A total of 667 studies were initially identified, of which 23 comprised the final analysis, in addition to Joint Ordinance No. 16/2022. The results demonstrated that conventional therapies, such as immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and vasodilators, have limited efficacy in refractory cases, highlighting the need for alternatives. IVIG showed benefits in cutaneous, muscle, and gastrointestinal manifestations, in addition to stabilizing pulmonary parameters, standing out as a promising resource in the clinical management of the disease. It is concluded that the treatment of systemic sclerosis must be multidisciplinary and individualized, and that IVIG can contribute to improving the quality of life of patients, although further clinical studies are needed to consolidate its use.