Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare neurological disorder that results in swelling of the nerve roots and the destruction of the myelin sheath, the fatty covering that surrounds the axon of nerves in the body (National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. [NORD], 2001). The presentation, course, and severity of this disorder vary from case to case. To receive a diagnosis of CIDP, an individual must have been free from viral infections for at least three months prior to the presentation of symptoms (NORD, 2001). Most cases do not exhibit a family history of CIDP or related disorders (NORD, 2001).
A gradually progressing autoimmune muscle weakness in arms and legs caused by inflammation of the myelin sheath covering peripheral nerve axons. Myelin destruction (demyelination) slows or blocks conduction of impulses to muscles. Numbness and paresthesia may accompany or precede loss of motor function, which varies from mild to severe. Laboratory findings include elevated protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. The inflammatory damage involves not only phagocytes (neutrophils and macrophages), but also immune complexes and complement activation by myelin autoantigens. Immunosuppressive drugs are used to treat this illness. Plasma exchange therapy or infusions of immunoglobulins often are used first, to produce a remission. CIDP is considered to be a chronic counterpart to Guillain-Barre syndrome.