Improving the management of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

This article considers several issues of current interest relating to the management of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), including diagnostic pitfalls, differences between CIDP patients with and without concurrent diabetes mellitus and how to best measure treatment response in daily practice. Despite the availability of diagnostic criteria, many patients diagnosed with CIDP do not meet these criteria; reasons for misdiagnosis are discussed. There are no definitive predictors of treatment response in CIDP; however, certain clinical and electrophysiological characteristics may be helpful. Patients with CIDP and concurrent diabetes present an additional diagnostic challenge; the differences between these groups, including possible differences in response predictors are discussed. Finally, the most appropriate outcome measures for use in daily practice are considered.