The IgG4ward! Foundation guidelines on the treatment of IgG4-related disease are now published in The Lancet Rheumatology

The IgG4ward! Foundation is delighted to announce the publication of "The IgG4ward! Foundation guidelines on the treatment of IgG4-related disease" in The Lancet Rheumatology today. 

This is a proud day for our Foundation and for everyone living with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). For a disease that is still often missed, misunderstood, or treated inconsistently, these Guidelines provide clinicians around the world a shared resource on which to base treatment decisions. 

A worldwide effort, built with patients at the table

The Foundation sponsored the development of these Guidelines: a ten-month collaboration between 52 physicians and 10 patients and caregivers. Rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, internists, neurologists, nephrologists, pulmonologists, allergists, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists, and radiologists all contributed their expertise to this work. 

The patients who participated offered their shared experiences with disease manifestations that covered the spectrum of organ involvement in IgG4-RD. Patients and caregivers were part of this work from the start. Their perspectives helped ensure the voice of the patient community was heard. 

The investigators, including physicians, patients, and caregivers, hailed from six continents, making this project truly a worldwide effort. 

What the Guidelines include

The Lancet Rheumatology published 28 Statements about the treatment of IgG4-RD. In sum, these Statements will educate and guide clinicians in the therapeutic decision-making, benefiting patients across the world. 

The Statements are designed to help physicians make clear, confident, evidence-based treatment decisions for IgG4-RD, wherever they practice and whatever their specialty. 

Thank you

We are deeply grateful to every physician, patient, and caregiver who contributed their time and expertise to this project. Your work will make a difference for people living with IgG4-RD around the world: a remarkable step forward for people living with a disease that was recognized only in this century and has been known to the world for less than 25 years. 

To  access the full IgG4ward! Foundation Treatment Guidelines paper, click the button below.