Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy 101—Pitfalls and Pearls of Diagnosis and Treatment

C hronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), which is caused by demyelination of the peripheral nerves, is characterized by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the arms and legs. CIDP is a treatable condition in which early diagnosis is crucial to limit chronic disability. CIDP can mimic other neuropathies and it is important to identify these in order to ensure prompt treatment. Patients with other causes of neuropathy should be suspected of having CIDP if there is rapid progress or proximal weakness. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), corticosteroids, and plasma exchange are first-line therapies. The IVIG CIDP Efficacy (ICE) trial, the largest trial reported of any CIDP treatment, demonstrated that IVIG therapy reduced disability and functional impairment, as well as improved quality of life. Autoantibodies against membrane proteins of the peripheral nerve axons or the myelin sheath have been reported recently, and an improved understanding of antibody responses in CIDP may enable the development of future targeted therapeutic interventions.