Treating CIDP: the latest guidelines

Peter Van den Bergh, MD, PhD, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium, outlines the updated EAN-PNS guidelines on the treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). The guidelines emphasize that CIDP should only be treated when a patient is experiencing disability and impairment, and if there is active disease. Induction and maintenance regimens are both indicated. Options for induction treatment include corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasma exchange. If no response is achieved with these options, the guidelines recommend that immunosuppressive agents can be used, although there is currently a lack of strong supporting evidence. The same treatment options are available in the maintenance phase. Prof. Van den Bergh mentions the importance of periodical dose reductions to see if a patient’s disease has become inactive. This interview took place during the European Academy of Neurology 2021 congress.