The Long-Term Course of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: a Retrospective Study

Introduction. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is characterized by long-term progressive or relapsing course, neurological deficit, and disability of varied severity. The course of CIDP after specific therapy and, if necessary, long-term maintenance treatment are to be studied. Objective: To evaluate CIDP clinical and history characteristics over the long-term follow-up ( 5 years), to compare long-term CIDP course in a number of clinical variants and onset types, and to determine clinical predictors of unfavorable CIDP course. Materials and methods. The study included 45 patients diagnosed with CIDP based on EAN/PNS 2021 criteria lasting for 5 or more years. Retrospective collection and analysis of medical records and clinical history were performed. Internationally accepted scales were used to assess neurological deficit (NIS, MRCss), disability (INCAT), and disease activity status (CDAS). The criteria of unfavorable course were developed to evaluate factors affecting CIDP course. Results. Among the patients with CIDP history of 5 years, each third (34%) had no neurological deficit and remained in long-term clinical remission (CDAS 1). The vast majority (90%) responded to first-line therapy in early disease, while only 53% of patients required maintenance treatment in 5 or more years of the onset. With the developed criteria (poor response to glucocorticosteroids (GCS), need for maintenance therapy, and CDAS 3–5), unfavourable CIDP course was detected in 24 (53.3%) participants. Its probability increased in later onset (47 [30; 50] years), the chronic type of onset, and delayed specific therapy. The most significant predictors included low total NIS score at onset (60 points) and multifocal CIDP. Conclusions. The course of typical CIDP is relatively favorable if timely diagnosed, and pathogenetic treatment initiated. Patients with acute and subacute onset demonstrate the best long-term status. The predictors of unfavourable disease course include mild neurological deficit at onset (NIS total score 60 points) and multifocal CIDP.