title: Evaluation of patients with refractory chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
abstract: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is a common treatable neuropathy, however, nearly 20% of patients remain refractory to standard therapy for unclear reasons.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, 710 W 168th Street, Box 163, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Artem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, 710 W 168th Street, Box 163, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Brannagan
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010956:Plasmapheresis / Q000379:methods*; D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
keywords: CIDP; IVIG; cyclophosphamide; demyelination; misdiagnosis; refractory