What is CIDP?

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) can be thought of as the chronic form of AIDP. It is primarily distinguished both by its time course—by definition, symptoms must persist for at least 8­weeks—and its responsiveness to corticosteroid treatment (AIDP, you may recall, is not steroid responsive). It tends to be monophasic, with a relatively gradual onset and even more gradual recovery, but some patients can present with a relapsing and remitting course. Otherwise, CIDP closely resembles AIDP, with predominantly distal, symmetric, ascending motor weakness and decreased or absent reflexes. Albuminocytologic dissociation in the CSF is a hallmark finding, as with AIDP. IVIG, PLEX, or pulse high- dose corticosteroids are first- line treatment.

There are several CIDP variants, including sensory- predominant and pure motor forms, that can be harder to recognize and diagnose. CSF analysis and electrophysiologic testing are helpful.