From the Research
Diagnostic Criteria for CIDP
The European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) diagnostic criteria for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) combine clinical features with electrophysiological evidence of demyelination 1. The criteria require mandatory electrophysiology, which is a key component in establishing the diagnosis.
Key Components of the EFNS Diagnostic Criteria
- Clinical features, such as symmetric involvement of the proximal and distal portions of the limbs 2
- Electrophysiological evidence of demyelination, including nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) 3, 4
- The presence of cytoalbuminologic dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis 3
Classification of CIDP
The EFNS diagnostic criteria also classify CIDP into different subtypes, including:
- Typical CIDP: characterized by symmetric involvement of the proximal and distal portions of the limbs 2
- Atypical CIDP: includes multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor (MADSAM), distal acquired demyelinating symmetric (DADS), pure sensory, pure motor, and focal subtypes 2
Evaluation of the EFNS Diagnostic Criteria
Studies have evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the EFNS diagnostic criteria, with results showing that the criteria are highly sensitive and specific for diagnosing CIDP 4, 5. However, some patients may not fulfill the criteria, and additional diagnostic tools, such as nerve ultrasound, may be helpful in establishing the diagnosis 4.