Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: Treatment and prognosis

INTRODUCTION

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an entity that describes a group of related neuropathies, all having chronicity, demyelination, inflammation, and immune-mediation in common.

In the classic form of CIDP, motor involvement is greater than sensory, and neurologic deficits are fairly symmetric. Weakness is present in both proximal and distal muscles. Most patients have globally diminished or absent reflexes. Cranial nerve and bulbar involvement occur in a minority. The clinical course of CIDP is slowly progressive in a majority of patients, but a relapsing-remitting course is noted in at least one-third.

Of major importance, CIDP generally responds to immunomodulatory treatment with glucocorticoids, intravenous immune globulin, or plasma exchange.

The treatment and prognosis of CIDP will be reviewed here. Other aspects of CIDP are discussed separately. (See "Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: Etiology, clinical features, and diagnosis".)

TREATMENT

The mainstays of treatment for CIDP are intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), glucocorticoids, and plasma exchange [1,2]. These treatments appear to be equally effective [3-5].

             

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Literature review current through: Apr 2013. | This topic last updated: Sep 21, 2012.
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