From the Research
Yes, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) can cause both dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), though these are not among the most common symptoms. CIDP primarily affects peripheral nerves, but when it involves cranial nerves, it can lead to dysphagia through impairment of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves that control swallowing muscles. Nystagmus may occur when CIDP affects nerves controlling eye movements or when it has central nervous system involvement, which happens in some variants of the disease. These symptoms typically develop gradually as the disease progresses.
Treatment Options
- Immunomodulatory therapies such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) at 2g/kg divided over 2-5 days
- Plasma exchange
- Corticosteroids like prednisone (starting at 60-100mg daily with gradual taper) According to the most recent and highest quality study 1, IVIG produces more short-term improvement in disability than placebo and more adverse events, although serious side effects are probably no more common than with placebo. Patients experiencing these symptoms should seek prompt neurological evaluation, as early intervention improves outcomes and helps prevent complications like aspiration pneumonia from dysphagia. The study 2 also highlights the effectiveness of IVIg therapy in treating cranial nerve involvement in CIDP, including dysphagia. However, the choice of treatment should be individualized based on the patient's specific condition and response to therapy, as noted in the study 3. Overall, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in managing CIDP and its associated symptoms, including dysphagia and nystagmus, to improve morbidity, mortality, and quality of life outcomes.