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Evaluation of patients with refractory chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Author(s) -
Kaplan Artem,
Brannagan Thomas H.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.25271
Subject(s) - medicine , chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy , polyradiculoneuropathy , plasmapheresis , refractory (planetary science) , weakness , surgery , pediatrics , antibody , guillain barre syndrome , immunology , physics , astrobiology
ABSTRACT Introduction Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is a common treatable neuropathy, however, nearly 20% of patients remain refractory to standard therapy for unclear reasons. Methods We did a retrospective review of 37 patients referred for CIDP refractory to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), plasmapheresis, and/or corticosteroids. Clinical findings, electrophysiological studies, and response to further therapeutic interventions were assessed. Results Forty‐six percent of patients had CIDP, while 54% had alternate diagnoses. Of patients with confirmed CIDP, 87% showed improvement with escalation of therapy. Distal leg weakness, vibratory sensory loss, and widespread areflexia were significantly more common in patients with confirmed CIDP. Conclusions Reasons for therapeutic failure in CIDP are inadequate immunotherapy and alternative diagnoses. Certain clinical and electrophysiological features help to distinguish true CIDP from mimics. Once CIDP is confirmed, optimization of IVIg dosing, addition of corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, or chemotherapy results in consistent improvement. Caution is advised when using response to therapy to diagnose CIDP. Muscle Nerve 55 : 476–482, 2017