Chronic Neuropathies – Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Neuropathy and Its Variants

Abstract

Chronic neuropathy is a highly prevalent condition, and an enormous burden to society, from a health, social and financial standpoint. Identifying new therapeutic strategies that have asignificant impact on the neuropathy patients' quality of life has been difficult. This review presents a brief perspective on clinical evaluation of chronic neuropathies, with a focus on chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (CIDP) and its variants. The diagnosis of CIDP is based on a careful history and examination, with evidence of peripheral nerve demyelination established. Disorders with unique characteristics but similar clinical, electrophysiologic, laboratory and therapeutic aspects to CIDP, such as Lewis-Sumner syndrome, are considered variants. Although defined diagnostic criteria for CIDP are now increasingly sensitive and specific, there is still significant overlap among CIDP and other neuropathies. Further research into the underlying pathophysiology of CIDP, its variants, and other immune-mediated demyelinating neuropathies will help us eventually develop targeted therapies that are less toxic and more beneficial than those currently available.