Immunoadsorption Versus Immunoglobulins for Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

Immunoadsorption Versus Immunoglobulins for Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

This is a randomized controlled study evaluating safety and efficacy of repeated immunoadsorption versus immunoglobulins in steroid-refractory Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of possible, probable, or definite CIDP (typical or atypical) according to European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) guidelines
• Disease duration of 3 years or less
• Age 18 years or above
• Previous treatment with methyl-prednisolone and insufficient therapeutic response as judged by the treating physician, or contraindications against methyl-prednisolone, or clinically significant side effects under methyl-prednisolone therapy as judged by the treating physician

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinical or laboratory evidence of manifest systemic infection, i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP) above 20 mg/l, or evidence of nitrite-positive urinary tract infection
• Intake of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor within 1 week before first treatment
• immunoglobulin A deficiency
• Other contraindications against immunoadsorption or intravenous immunoglobulins