From the Research
The initial treatment for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) should be intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or corticosteroids, as these are the most effective and widely used first-line treatments, according to the most recent and highest quality study 1. The choice of treatment depends on patient factors, including comorbidities, potential side effects, cost, and availability.
- IVIG is often administered at a loading dose of 2 g/kg divided over 2-5 consecutive days, followed by maintenance therapy of 1 g/kg every 3 weeks, with adjustments based on clinical response.
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may be used at an initial dose of 60-100 mg daily or on alternate days, with a gradual taper over months after clinical improvement.
- Plasma exchange is typically performed 2-3 times weekly for 2-3 weeks in acute cases, but its use is less common due to its invasive nature and potential side effects. CIDP is an immune-mediated disorder where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves, and these treatments work by suppressing or modulating the abnormal immune response.
- Treatment should be initiated promptly after diagnosis to prevent axonal damage and permanent disability, and patients should be monitored regularly for treatment response and adverse effects, as recommended by recent studies 2. The most recent study 1 provides the most up-to-date guidance on the treatment of CIDP, and its recommendations should be followed in clinical practice.
- Other studies, such as 3, 4, and 5, provide additional information on the treatment of CIDP, but their findings are not as recent or comprehensive as those of the most recent study 1.