Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system (where your brain controls all of your muscles and nerves that allow you to move and feel). With CIDP, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of peripheral nerves (the myelin sheath), leading to nerve inflammation and damage.1,2
This makes it hard for nerves to work properly, causing weakness, numbness, and sensory disturbances. While it shares some similarities with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), CIDP is characterized by a more gradual onset and is therefore considered chronic.3 Here we’ll discuss CIDP signs, symptoms, treatment options, and helpful resources.
Signs and Symptoms
Though signs and symptoms of CIDP can vary widely among people, when someone has CIDP, they might start to feel weak in their muscles—especially in their legs and arms. It's like their body is running out of energy. They might also feel tingling or numbness in their arms and legs, as well as cramping. Sometimes, they might even have trouble keeping their balance or feel tired all the time. These feelings can be uncomfortable and also painful.4
Diagnosis
Finding out if someone has CIDP isn't always easy because it can look like other nerve conditions. A thorough medical history, neurological examination, and diagnostic tests such as nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG) are essential for an accurate diagnosis.5 Additionally, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and nerve biopsies may be performed to rule out other conditions.
Treatment Options
Although there is no cure for CIDP, various treatment options can help manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and help people keep doing the things they love. Common treatments include:6,7,8,9,10
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) Therapy: Healthy antibodies from donors are given to patients through infusions to help suppress the overactive immune response and lower inflammation. This reduces symptoms for many patients.
Corticosteroids: High-dose corticosteroids such as prednisone may be prescribed to suppress inflammation and alleviate symptoms, particularly during flare-ups.
Plasma Exchange (Plasmapheresis): This procedure involves removing and replacing plasma to remove harmful antibodies and inflammatory factors from the bloodstream, providing temporary relief from CIDP symptoms.
Immunosuppressive Medications: Drugs like azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, or rituximab may be prescribed to dampen the immune system's activity and reduce inflammation, particularly in individuals who do not respond to other treatments.
Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy play a crucial role in managing CIDP, helping to improve muscle strength, flexibility, and mobility and reducing the risk of complications such as falls and injuries.
Helpful Resources
The GBS/CIDP Foundation International provides support and resources for CIDP patients and their families. Some of these resources include:
Local community groups and chapter meetings
Community forums
CIDP educational webinars and conferences
Summary
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare but debilitating autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system. While there is no cure for CIDP, by knowing what to look for and getting the right treatment, people with CIDP can keep living their lives and doing the things they love. Through ongoing research and advancements in medical care, there is hope for better outcomes and increased understanding of this complex condition.
How BioMatrix Can Help
Though a CIDP diagnosis can feel overwhelming for you or a loved one, it’s important to know that you are not alone. Organizations like GBS/CIDP Foundation International mentioned above can provide a wealth of information and support as well as connect you to others in the community who have experienced the same diagnosis. In addition, your specialty pharmacy can offer individualized support to help manage treatment.
BioMatrix helps manage the individual needs of patients requiring IVIG therapy. Knowledgeable pharmacists and care coordination staff guide each patient through the potential medication side effects and, working with the prescribing physician, help manage treatment to reduce the prevalence and severity of relapses.
As a specialty infusion pharmacy, our clinical teams have extensive training and experience in rare diseases, infusion therapies, and complex medical conditions. Our nursing staff coordinates with pharmacists, healthcare providers, and other caregivers ensuring the best treatment outcomes possible.
Learn more about our individualized specialty pharmacy services for patients with CIDP and other neurological conditions.
Insurance Appeal Letter Sample & Template
Have you been denied insurance coverage for much needed treatment? Use this appeal letter template as a guide to help you or a loved one appeal insurance claim denials.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. All information, content, and material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider or as legal advice. Please consult a physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and/or medical needs or concerns and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here or on our website.
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References
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2019). Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Information Page. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Chronic-Inflammatory-Demyelinating-Polyneuropathy-Information-Page
Dalakas, M. C. (2014). Advances in the diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment of CIDP. Nature Reviews Neurology, 10(3), 160-171.
Markey, K. A., et al. (2018). CIDP and variants as a disease continuum: Evidence from nerve histology. Neurology, 90(13), e1157-e1166.
Gorson, K. C. (2014). An update on the management of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders, 7(5), 227-237.
Van den Bergh, P. Y., et al. (2010). European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society Guideline on management of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: report of a joint task force of the European Federation of Neurological Societies and the Peripheral Nerve Society–first revision. European Journal of Neurology, 17(3), 356-363.
Hughes, R. A., et al. (2006). Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) for CIDP and related disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2, CD002062.
Gorson, K. C. (2010). An update on the management of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders, 3(5), 249-258.
Léger, J. M., et al. (2011). Plasmapheresis in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study. Brain, 134(7), 1889-1899.
Mahdi-Rogers, M., & Hughes, R. A. (2017). Immunosuppressive agents for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 8, CD003557.
Latov, N., et al. (2010). Peripheral neuropathy: Diagnosis and management. Cambridge University Press.
