The assessment of sensory pathway in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)

Abstract

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune polyneuropathy, predominately affecting motor, less sensory fibers, sometimes with the central nervous system involvement. The aim of the study was the assessment of the prevalence of peripheral and central sensory impairment, and their reciprocal reliance in patients with CIDP. 24 patients (mean 60.7 years old) diagnosed with CIDP, and 35 healthy controls, age and sex-matched. Multimodal (visual- VEP, brainstem auditory - BAEP, somatosensory SEP) evoked potentials (EPs) were studied. The results were compared to neurographic parameters of sensory responses in peripheral nerves. Neurological examination, cerebro-spinal fluid analysis, and brain CT/MRI were done in all participants. Statistically significant negative correlations were obtained between BAEP and SEP responses (amplitude, latencies, interlatencies) and the amplitude and sensory conduction velocity of peripheral nerves. There were no correlations between the P100 VEP latency and the peripheral sensory parameters. There were no structural changes of the central nervous system in neuroimages, and central symptoms in the neurological examination. The authors confirmed the presence of peripheral and central sensory involvement in patients with CIDP. The severity of central damage correlates with the degree of peripheral nerve impairment. Subclinical lesion of the central sensory pathways is possible.