Learn about CIDP and how we can help.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a neurological disorder characterized by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms. This autoimmune disorder slowly develops when the body's immune system attacks the myelin that insulates and protects your body’s nerves, but the exact cause is unknown. Although it can occur at any age and in both genders, CIDP is more common in young adults and in men more so than women. This disorder often presents symptoms that include tingling or numbness (beginning in the toes and fingers), weakness of the arms and legs, loss of deep tendon reflexes (areflexia), fatigue, and abnormal sensations. CIDP is closely related to Guillain-Barre syndrome, and it is considered the chronic counterpart of that acute disease.

What causes CIDP?

It is not clear exactly what triggers CIDP, but when the myelin sheaths around the nerve cells are attacked by the body's immune system, CIDP occurs. This slows the nerves’ ability to send signals which when you may start feeling weakness, pain, fatigue, and numbness. There is usually no infection preceding CIDP unlike Guillain-Barre syndrome. It is also unlikely that CIDP is genetically linked. 

How is CIDP diagnosed?

There is no test to diagnosis CIDP. Instead, your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, such as when they started and how they feel. They will do a thorough physical examination and may also recommend tests to get a better idea of what’s going on with your nerves and to rule out other possible causes.

• Blood and urine tests

• Nerve conduction study (electromyogram) to look for damaged myelin in peripheral nerves.

•  Lumbar puncture to sample certain proteins in cerebral spinal fluid related to the disease.

In some cases, doctors still may not be completely sure that you have CIDP, but they may go ahead and start treatment. If the symptoms improve, that is strong evidence that it is CIDP.

How is CIDP treated?

Treatment for CIDP includes corticosteroids such as prednisone, which may be prescribed alone or in combination with immunosuppressant medications. Plasmapheresis (plasma exchange) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy are also effective forms of treatment. IVIG may be used even as a first-line therapy. Physiotherapy can improve muscle strength, function and mobility, and minimize the shrinkage of muscles and tendons and distortions of the joints.

• Corticosteroids bring down inflammation and slow the immune system.

• Plasma exchange involves receiving the plasma from blood through an IV to slow down the immune system.

• Immunotherapy interrupts the immune system to help stop it from attacking the myelin.

• In rare cases, stem cell transplant involves your doctor injecting healthy stem cells (either yours or donated by someone else) to "reset" the immune system.

Early treatment is important to limit disease progression, and includes medicines or other treatments to suppress the immune system.

Prognosis

The course of CIDP varies widely among individuals. Some may have an episode of CIDP followed by spontaneous recovery, while others may have many episodes with partial recovery in between relapses. The disease is a treatable because of acquired neuropathy, and initiation of early treatment to prevent loss of nerve axons is recommended. However, some individuals are left with some residual numbness or weakness. If you do not seek treatment for CIDP, your symptoms will likely get worse over the course of several years, and 1 in 3 people will need a wheelchair.

How We Can Help