Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Weakness worse proximally and distally over more than 8 weeks with demyelinating conduction studies. The EAN/PNS 2021 criteria, the mimics (anti-MAG, POEMS, MMN, CMT, amyloid), nodopathies, and IVIg, steroids and plasma exchange.
Tier 1Condition
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At a glance
- CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, the EAN/PNS 2021 term; older texts say polyneuropathy) is a chronic immune-mediated demyelinating neuropathy of nerves and roots, progressing or relapsing over more than 8 weeks. Prevalence about 3 per 100,000, more in men and over 50.
- Typical CIDP gives symmetric proximal and distal weakness with sensory loss and areflexia. Proximal weakness is the clue that it isn't a length-dependent neuropathy.
- Diagnosis rests on demyelinating nerve conduction studies with clinical fit. It is over-diagnosed: in published referral series, around half of patients labelled CIDP didn't meet criteria.
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Sources
- Criteria for the clinical use of immunoglobulin in Australia: chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathyAU/NZNational Blood Authority
- Therapeutic Guidelines: NeurologyAU/NZTherapeutic Guidelines Limited
- European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society guideline on diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: report of a joint task force, second revision (Van den Bergh PYK et al. Eur J Neurol 2021;28(11):3556-3583)EAN and PNS, 2021
- Intravenous immune globulin (10% caprylate-chromatography purified) for the treatment of CIDP (ICE study; Hughes RA et al. Lancet Neurol 2008;7(2):136-144)Lancet Neurology, 2008
- Subcutaneous immunoglobulin for maintenance treatment in CIDP (PATH; van Schaik IN et al. Lancet Neurol 2018;17(1):35-46)Lancet Neurology, 2018
- Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of subcutaneous efgartigimod in patients with CIDP (ADHERE; Allen JA et al. Lancet Neurol 2024;23(10):1013-1024)Lancet Neurology, 2024
- Efgartigimod alfa (Vyvgart) for CIDP: PBS medicine statusAU/NZPharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, November 2026 PBAC resubmission (page updated 23 October 2026)
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Deploy to Cloudflare on push to main