Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheaths-the protective fatty coverings-around the peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. This leads to nerve inflammation, damage, and impaired nerve function

Key Characteristics of CIDP:

• Progressive or relapsing neurological disorder: Symptoms develop over at least 8 weeks and can worsen over time or come and go

• Symptoms: Include gradual muscle weakness (often symmetrical), numbness, tingling, sensory loss, difficulty walking, clumsiness, fatigue, and sometimes pain or abnormal sensations. Weakness typically affects both proximal (e.g., hips, shoulders) and distal muscles (e.g., hands, feet)

• Age and gender: More common in adults in their 50s and 60s, with men affected about twice as often as women

• Relation to Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS): CIDP is considered the chronic counterpart of GBS, but unlike GBS, CIDP is not usually triggered by an infection and has a longer, more persistent course

Cause and Pathophysiology:

• The exact trigger is unknown, but CIDP involves immune-mediated damage to the myelin sheath by both the innate and adaptive immune systems, including macrophages and antibodies

• Unlike GBS, CIDP usually has no preceding infection or clear genetic link

Diagnosis and Treatment:

• Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms persisting for over 8 weeks, nerve conduction studies showing demyelination, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and response to immunomodulatory treatments

• Treatment aims to suppress the immune system and includes corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasmapheresis, and other immunosuppressive drugs

• Early treatment is important to limit nerve damage and improve outcomes

Summary:

CIDP is a chronic autoimmune disease causing inflammation and damage to peripheral nerve myelin, resulting in progressive muscle weakness and sensory problems. It requires timely diagnosis and immune-targeted therapy to manage symptoms and prevent disability