Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy; Polyneuropathy - chronic inflammatory; CIDP; Chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy; Guillain-Barré - CIDPChronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a disorder that involves nerve swelling and irritation (inflammation) that leads to a loss of strength or sensation.
Causes
CIDP is one cause of damage to nerves outside the brain or spinal cord (peripheral neuropathy). Polyneuropathy means several nerves are involved. CIDP often affects both sides of the body.
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral nerves carry information to and from the brain. They also carry signals in both directions between the spinal cord and the rest of the bo...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleCIDP is caused by an abnormal immune response. CIDP occurs when the immune system attacks the myelin cover of the nerves. For this reason, CIDP is thought to be an autoimmune disease.
Immune response
The immune response is how your body recognizes and defends itself against bacteria, viruses, and substances that appear foreign and harmful....
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleMyelin cover
Myelin is an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. It is made up of protein and fatty ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleAutoimmune disease
An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 autoimmune d...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleHealth care providers also consider CIDP as the chronic form of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Chronic
Chronic refers to something that continues over an extended period of time. A chronic condition is usually long-lasting and does not easily or quick...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleGuillain-Barré syndrome
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a serious health problem that occurs when the body's defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the peripher...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleThe specific triggers of CIDP vary. In many cases, the cause cannot be identified.
CIDP may occur with other conditions, such as:
- Chronic hepatitis
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Diabetes
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Infection with the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni
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HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Immune system disorders due to cancer
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Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease
Ulcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...
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Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Cancer of the lymph system
- Overactive thyroid
- Side effects of medicines to treat cancer or HIV
Symptoms
Symptoms include any of the following:
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Problems walking due to weakness or lack of feeling in the feet
Problems walking
Walking abnormalities can be caused by many different types of problems. Problems with the joints, (such as arthritis), bones (such as deformities),...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Trouble using the arms and hands or legs and feet due to weakness
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Sensation changes, such as numbness or decreased sensation, pain, burning, tingling, or other abnormal sensations (usually affects the feet first, then the arms and hands)
Sensation changes
Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...
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Other symptoms that can occur with CIDP include:
- Abnormal or uncoordinated movement
- Problems breathing
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Fatigue
Fatigue
Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.
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Hoarseness or changing voice or slurred speech
Hoarseness or changing voice
Hoarseness refers to difficulty making sounds when trying to speak. Vocal sounds may be weak, breathy, scratchy, or husky, and the pitch or quality ...
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Exams and Tests
The provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms, focusing on the nervous system and muscles.
Tests that may be ordered include:
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Electromyography (EMG) to check the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles
Electromyography
Electromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.
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Nerve conduction tests to check how fast electrical signals move through a nerve
Nerve conduction tests
Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a test to see how fast electrical signals move through a nerve. This test is done along with electromyography (EM...
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Nerve biopsy to remove a small piece of a nerve for examination
Nerve biopsy
A nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of a nerve for examination.
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Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to check the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord
Spinal tap
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Blood tests may be done to look for specific proteins that are causing the immune attack on the nerves
- Lung function tests to check if breathing is affected
Depending on the suspected cause of CIDP, other tests, such as x-rays, imaging scans, and blood tests, may be done.
x-rays
X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleTreatment
The goal of treatment is to reverse the attack on the nerves. In some cases, nerves can heal and their function can be restored. In other cases, nerves are badly damaged and cannot heal, so treatment is aimed at preventing the disease from getting worse.
Which treatment is given depends on how severe the symptoms are, among other things. The most aggressive treatment is only given if you have difficulty walking, breathing, or if symptoms don't allow you to care for yourself or work.
Treatments may include:
- Corticosteroids to help reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms
- Other medicines that suppress the immune system (for some severe cases)
- Plasmapheresis or plasma exchange to remove antibodies from the blood
Antibodies
An antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens. Examples of antigens include micr...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Intravenous immune globulin (IVIg), which involves injecting antibodies into the bloodstream to reduce the effect of the antibodies that are causing the problem
Outlook (Prognosis)
The outcome varies. The disorder may continue long term, or you may have repeated episodes of symptoms. Complete recovery is possible, but permanent loss of nerve function is not uncommon.
Possible Complications
Complications of CIDP include:
- Pain
- Permanent decrease or loss of sensation in areas of the body
- Permanent weakness or paralysis in areas of the body
- Repeated or unnoticed injury to an area of the body
- Side effects of medicines used to treat the disorder
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if you have a loss of movement or sensation in any area of the body, especially if your symptoms get worse.
References
Katirji B. Disorders of peripheral nerves. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 106.
Smith AG, Shy ME. Peripheral neuropathies. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 388.
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Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration
The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
illustration
Review Date: 6/13/2024
Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.