BACKGROUND: Administration of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIgs) is established for long-term treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Prevention of secondary axonal loss going along with permanent clinical disability and muscular atrophy is a major aim in CIDP therapy. To assess long-term clinical efficacy of IVIg treatment despite heterogenous disease course and variable complaints reported by the patients, long-term electrophysiological monitoring was performed for systematic evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of IVIg. METHODS: A total of 21 patients with CIDP treated with IVIg 1 g/kg bodyweight every 3-6 weeks were examined electrophysiologically every 12 months over a period of 2 years. RESULTS: Assessment of clinical symptoms, using the Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) and Hughes functional grading score (F-score) revealed improvement of motor and sensory symptoms over a period of 2 years. As electrophysiological results remained stable, IVIg treatment seems to be suitable to prevent axonal loss in CIDP. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms efficacy of IVIg as firstline therapy in CIDP. Doses and frequency of IVIg application should be adapted based on clinical evaluation and analysis of long-term electrophysiological findings.
BACKGROUND: Administration of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIgs) is established for long-term treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Prevention of secondary axonal loss going along with permanent clinical disability and muscular atrophy is a major aim in CIDP therapy. To assess long-term clinical efficacy of IVIg treatment despite heterogenous disease course and variable complaints reported by the patients, long-term electrophysiological monitoring was performed for systematic evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of IVIg. METHODS: A total of 21 patients with CIDP treated with IVIg 1 g/kg bodyweight every 3-6 weeks were examined electrophysiologically every 12 months over a period of 2 years. RESULTS: Assessment of clinical symptoms, using the Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) and Hughes functional grading score (F-score) revealed improvement of motor and sensory symptoms over a period of 2 years. As electrophysiological results remained stable, IVIg treatment seems to be suitable to prevent axonal loss in CIDP. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms efficacy of IVIg as firstline therapy in CIDP. Doses and frequency of IVIg application should be adapted based on clinical evaluation and analysis of long-term electrophysiological findings.
Authors: J R Mendell; R J Barohn; M L Freimer; J T Kissel; W King; H N Nagaraja; R Rice; W W Campbell; P D Donofrio; C E Jackson; R A Lewis; M Shy; D M Simpson; G J Parry; M H Rivner; C A Thornton; M B Bromberg; R Tandan; Y Harati; M J Giuliani Journal: Neurology Date: 2001-02-27 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: A F Hahn; C F Bolton; N Pillay; C Chalk; T Benstead; V Bril; K Shumak; M K Vandervoort; T E Feasby Journal: Brain Date: 1996-08 Impact factor: 13.501
Authors: D Cocito; I Paolasso; G Antonini; L Benedetti; C Briani; C Comi; R Fazio; S Jann; S Matà; A Mazzeo; M Sabatelli; E Nobile-Orazio Journal: Eur J Neurol Date: 2009-10-23 Impact factor: 6.089
Authors: M Vermeulen; P A van Doorn; A Brand; P F Strengers; F G Jennekens; H F Busch Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 1993-01 Impact factor: 10.154