May is CIDP Awareness Month. See how to make progress for your patients here

The unseen suffering of CIDP

You may not see it, but many patients with CIDP continue to experience debilitating symptoms that often require burdensome treatments.1-3

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CIDP=chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

 

 

Patient portrayal

CIDP can be debilitating to patients’ lives3,4

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare, often progressive, immune-mediated neuromuscular disorder of the peripheral nervous system.5-7

CIDP results in motor and sensory impairment in the upper and lower limbs. CIDP significantly impacts quality of life.3,6,8

Patients may experience a range of disabling mobility and sensory issues, even with treatment.9,10

Common motor and sensory signs and symptoms

Frequent tripping or falling11

Difficulty rising from a seated position11

Fine motor function impairment11

Neuropathic pain and fatigue12,13

Traditional treatments, while beneficial, may fall short in the fight against CIDP1,9,14,15

Residual symptoms

~88%

of patients reported residual neurological symptoms in a cross-sectional study of patients in the Netherlands receiving traditional therapy (n=112)9*†

Low rate of remission

~20%

of patients on available treatments achieved remission (CDAS=2) in a cross-sectional study of patients in the Netherlands (n=112)9*‡

Limited mobility

 61%

of treated patients receiving traditional therapy required supportive aids including mobility aids and home modifications (n=62)16§

Traditional CIDP treatments include IVIG, SCIG, corticosteroids, and PLEX.6
*CIDP diagnosis was confirmed from patient files and expert consensus using the 2010 EFNS/PNS criteria. At study entry, median age was 62 years, median disease duration was 9 years, and median time from onset to diagnosis was 5 months (2-12 months). Eighty percent of patients presented with typical CIDP, and 20% presented with CIDP variants. Maintenance treatment included IVIG (n=58), corticosteroids (n=8), IVIG plus corticosteroids (n=3), PLEX (n=2), prednisone plus methotrexate (n=1), or no treatment (n=40).9
†Residual neurological symptoms included muscle weakness (73%), sensory symptoms (77%), pain (52%), and fatigue (77%).9
‡Remission (CDAS=2) defined as stable and off treatment for <5 years. Seventeen patients (15%) achieved cured disease activity status (CDAS=1), defined as stable and off treatment for ≥5 years.9,17
§Data derived from Adelphi Real World’s CIDP Disease Specific ProgrammeTM, a real-world, cross-sectional survey including all treated patients with CIDP and their neurologists, conducted between September 2022-April 2023. Data is shown for where matched physician-reported and patient-reported data are available. Patients who were on treatment were prescribed immunoglobulins, corticosteroids, nonsteroidal immunosuppressants, biologics, neuropathic pain therapies, or plasmapheresis.18,19
CDAS=CIDP Disease Activity Status; CIDP=chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; EFNS=European Federation of Neurological Societies; IVIG=intravenous immunoglobulin; PLEX=plasma exchange; PNS=Peripheral Nerve Society; SCIG=subcutaneous immunoglobulin.

60% of patients reported being dissatisfied with their symptom burden15*

*An online survey of patients 18 years of age and older with self-reported CIDP (N=318) was conducted with patients registered with the US and Canadian
GBS/CIDP foundations from January 2019 to June 2020. Respondents answered general demographic and clinical questions, as well as questions about satisfaction with current symptom burden and treatments, and responses also included validated outcome measures. 128 patients (40%) reported that they were satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their current symptom severity, while 190 patients (60%) were dissatisfied or somewhat dissatisfied with current symptoms. Of the 190 patients who were dissatisfied with treatment, they received the following: IVIG (n=112), PLEX (n=5), SCIG (n=14), prednisone (n=26), rituximab (n=7), azathioprine, mycophenolate, or cyclosporine (n=21).15
CIDP=chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; GBS=Guillain-Barré syndrome; IVIG=intravenous immunoglobulin; PLEX=plasma exchange; SCIG=subcutaneous immunoglobulin.

Patient portrayal

60% of patients reported being dissatisfied with their symptom burden15*

Patient portrayal

*An online survey of patients 18 years of age and older with self-reported CIDP (N=318) was conducted with patients registered with the US and Canadian GBS/CIDP foundations from January 2019 to June 2020. Respondents answered general demographic and clinical questions, as well as questions about satisfaction with current symptom burden and treatments, and responses also included validated outcome measures. 128 patients (40%) reported that they were satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their current symptom severity, while 190 patients (60%) were dissatisfied or somewhat dissatisfied with current symptoms.
Of the 190 patients who were dissatisfied with treatment, they received the following: IVIG (n=112), PLEX (n=5), SCIG (n=14), prednisone (n=26), rituximab (n=7), azathioprine, mycophenolate, or cyclosporine (n=21).15
CIDP=chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; GBS=Guillain-Barré syndrome; IVIG=intravenous immunoglobulin; PLEX=plasma exchange; SCIG=subcutaneous immunoglobulin.

IVIG, corticosteroids, and PLEX are effective therapies and are the guideline-recommended treatments for CIDP6

Both short- and long-term effectiveness and risks need to be considered with all treatments6

Broad immunosuppression or immunomodulation of traditional CIDP treatments may control symptoms, but this can expose patients to additional risk. Comorbidities are also prevalent in patients with CIDP, and may increase the risk of side effects with traditional therapies.1,14,20

Some patients receiving traditional treatments such as IVIG may experience side effects, including headache and flu-like symptoms, as well as more rare but serious side effects, such as1,14:

  • venous thrombosis 
  • renal complications
  • hemolytic anemia 

Patients receiving long-term treatment with corticosteroids may experience side effects, including21:

  • weight gain
  • hyperglycemia 
  • hypertension 
  • osteoporosis 
  • cataracts
  • increased risk for infection

Treatment selection in CIDP may warrant careful consideration of comorbidities, potential side effects, and efficacy with traditional therapies.6,14,20

CIDP=chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; IVIG=intravenous immunoglobulin; PLEX=plasma exchange.

Managing CIDP with traditional therapies can create challenges for patients, caregivers, physicians, and office staff

Long IV infusion times*
3-5 hours per visit—often requiring full days off from work or school2,22

Unpredictability of treatment
Underlying heterogeneity and fluctuating treatment response contribute to the challenges of managing CIDP9,23-25

Absenteeism*
Many patients with self-reported CIDP missed work or school due to treatment administration22

Venous access issues*†
Treatment interruptions due to difficulty administering22

Traditional CIDP treatments include IVIG, SCIG, corticosteroids, and PLEX.⁶

*Based on a self-reported, online, global GBS|CIDP Foundation survey from 595 adult patients with CIDP (n=222, stratified “likely” based on patient-reported symptoms). The survey was provided to US-based members (n=475) of the database between 11/13/2017-12/12/2017 and non–US-based members (n=120) between 1/5/2018-3/26/2018. The survey consisted of 56 questions that gathered information about demographics, symptoms, work and social activities, and treatment history. Patient treatments included IVIG (61%), SCIG (2%), corticosteroids (23%), IVIG and steroids (12%), PLEX (3%), or other immunosuppressive drugs (15%).22

†Twelve percent of respondents reported treatment interruptions on at least one occasion due to inadequate venous access.22

CIDP=chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; GBS=Guillain-Barré syndrome; IV=intravenous; IVIG=intravenous immunoglobulin; PLEX=plasma exchange; SCIG=subcutaneous immunoglobulin.

~85% of patients require ongoing treatment with potentially
burdensome therapies1,2*

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Consider how treatment burden may impact patients when making treatment decisions.

*Patients with CIDP that initially responded to IVIG.

 CIDP=chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; IVIG=intravenous immunoglobulin.

Shining Through CIDP

Supporting patients suffering from CIDP is central to argenx.

Direct your patients and their caregivers to Shining Through CIDP, where they can find reliable information, helpful tips, and relatable stories from people living with CIDP.

CIDP=chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

argenx is committed to the discovery of innovative solutions to improve the lives of patients with CIDP

argenx is committed to discovering innovations in science and improving the lives of patients

References: 1. Bunschoten C et al. Lancet Neurol. 2019;18(8):784-794. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(19)30144-9 2. Allen JA et al. J Neurol Sci. 2020;408:1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2019.116497 3. Ryltoft AK et al. Acta Neurol Scand. 2020;00:1-4. doi:10.1111/ane.13322 4. Bozovic I et al. J Neurol. 2017;264(12):2481-2486. doi:10.1007/s00415-017-8658-x 5. Broers MC et al. Neuroepidemiology. 2019;52(3-4):161-172. doi:10.1159/000494291 6. Van den Bergh PYK et al. Eur J Neurol. 2021;28(11):3556-3583. doi:10.1111/ene.14959 7. Brun S et al. Immuno. 2022;2:118-131. doi:10.3390/immuno2010009 8. Querol L et al. J Neurol. 2021;268(10):3706-3716. doi:10.1007/s00415-020-09998-8 9. Bunschoten C et al. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2019;24(3):253-259. doi:10.1111/jns.12344
10. Hafsteinsdottir B, Olafsson E. Eur Neurol. 2016;75:263-268. doi:10.1159/000445884 11. Dyck PJB et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018;93(6):777-793. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.03.026 12. Gable KL et al. Muscle Nerve. 2020;1-8. doi:10.1002/mus.27038 13. Michaelides A et al. Pain Ther. 2019;8(2):177-185. doi:10.1007/s40122-019-0128-y 14. Goyal NA et al. Muscle Nerve. 2021;64(3):243-254. doi:10.1002/mus.27356 15. Mendoza M et al. Adv Ther. 2023;40(12):5188-5203. doi:10.1007/s12325-023-02661-4 16. Data on file. REF-05153. argenx US Inc. March 2026. 17. Gorson KC et al. J Periph Nerv Syst. 2010;15:326-333. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8027.2010.00284.x 18. Nowacek D et al. Presented at: 2025 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinical & Scientific Conference; March 16-19, 2025; Dallas, TX. 19. Karkare S et al. Presented at: The American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) Annual Meeting; October 29-November 1, 2025; San Francisco, CA. 20. Doneddu PE et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2020;91(10):1092-1099. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2020-323615 21. Hughes RAC et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;11(11):CD002062. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002062.pub4 22. Allen JA et al. Adv Ther. 2021;38(1):316-328. doi:10.1007/s12325-020-01540-6 23. Kuitwaard K et al. Eur J Neurol. 2021;28(5):1677-1683. doi:10.1111/ene.14742 24. Allen JA et al. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2018;23(2):78-87. doi:10.1111/jns.12262 25. Adrichem ME et al. Brain. 2022;145(5):1641-1652. doi:10.1093/brain/awac054