Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare, severe, and progressive autoimmune neuropathy that causes debilitating weakness and numbness in the arms and legs. Due to the complexity of the disease, people can experience CIDP in different ways, as it can have a relapsing-remitting or a progressive disease course, causing long-term disability.^1-3

Common symptoms include loss of balance and increased weakness, often accompanied by pain, which can make completing daily activities more difficult and impact quality of life.^3-4 The similarity of these symptoms to other neuromuscular disorders can make CIDP difficult to diagnose, often leading to misdiagnosis.

24K

patients

In the United States there are approximately 24,000 patients being treated for CIDP⁵

higher

Incidence of CIDP is 2X higher in men than in women⁶

The Journey to a Diagnosis

Receiving a CIDP diagnosis may be a long journey for many patients. From the time of symptom onset, a diagnosis of CIDP may take several years. CIDP is clinically heterogeneous, and there is no reliable biomarker that can be used in diagnosis. Additionally, some people with CIDP do not present with the key clinical diagnostic criteria as outlined in CIDP guidelines.^1,3

At the time of diagnosis, people living with CIDP are generally 40 to 60 years old, though it can affect children or older individuals.⁷ Earlier diagnosis of CIDP is needed to ensure timely treatment initiation and, in turn, reduce the potential for disease progression and long-term disability.^8-9 If left untreated, around 30% of people with CIDP will progress to a wheelchair.

Symptoms^10-12

People living with CIDP often experience severe fatigue, persistent pain, and significant disability.^9,13 More than half face mobility challenges and often require mobility aids, such as wheelchairs.^{14-16, 17-18} These challenges can significantly impact everyday life, work, and independence.^{17, 19-22}

Fatigue 

Loss of balance and/or coordination

Heaviness in legs

Weakness in upper and/or lower limbs

Tingling and/or numbness 

Pain

How does Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Happen?^23-26

The pathogenesis of CIDP involves complex interactions among different immune responses and mechanisms. We established the role of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the underlying pathophysiology of CIDP, with emerging evidence also supporting the role of the complement system.^26-28

Real CIDP Stories

This is the story of Jamilah, who is living with CIDP. Prior to her diagnosis, Jamilah’s days were filled with dance classes, crocheting, and maintaining a photography business.

Her symptoms, a deterioration in her ability to stand up and move around, started in the fall of 2021 and progressed notably within a month. Within 4 months, she was confined to a wheelchair and received an official diagnosis of CIDP.

At first, I was kind of like, what is that? What is CIDP? I've never heard of that. But then, the relief set in more than confusion… because at least there was a name to what I had.

– Jamilah, Living with CIDP

I realized that there was a big, great opening, an avenue for me to advocate and to not just be an advocate for myself but be an advocate for others who are dealing with this disease.

– Julie, Living with CIDP

Clinical Trials

Explore our ongoing clinical trials for CIDP, designed to advance scientific understanding and address the unmet needs of the CIDP community.

emvigorate

Program:
Empasiprubart

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Double-Dummy Study Evaluating the Efficacy and  Safety of Intravenous Empasiprubart  Versus Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Adults With Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy.

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emnergize

Program:
Empasiprubart

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Empasiprubart IV in Adults With Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuopathy.

More information

Resources

For more information on this disease, please find here additional resources and links to advocacy organizations.

Shining Through CIDP
shiningthroughcidp.com

GBS|CIDP Foundation International
gbs-cidp.org/cidp

European Patients Organization for Dysimmune & Inflammatory Neuropathies
www.epodin.org 

Shining Through CIDP
shiningthroughcidp.com

GBS|CIDP Foundation International
gbs-cidp.org/cidp

European Patients Organization for Dysimmune & Inflammatory Neuropathies
www.epodin.org 

References:

Cocito D, et al. A. Eur J Neurol. 2010;17:289-94.
Querol L, et al. J Neurol. 2021;268:3706-16.
Van den Bergh PY, et al. Eur J Neurol. 2021;28:3556-83.
Allen JA, et al. Adv. Ther. 2021,38:316-28.
1 IQVIA LAAD Data from May 2018 to April 2023.
Brun S, de Sèze J, Muller S. CIDP: current treatments and identification of targets for future specific therapeutic intervention. Immuno. 2022;2(1):118-131. doi:10.3390/immuno2010009.
Van den Bergh PYK, van Doorn PA, Hadden RDM, et al. European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society guideline on diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: report of a joint task force – second revision. Eur J Neurol. 2021; 28(11):3556-3583. doi:10.1111/ene.14959.
Broers MC, et al. Eur J Neurol. 2021;28:2065-73.
Al-Zuhairy A, et al. Muscle & Nerve. 2020;61:316-24.
Van den Bergh PYK et al. Eur Neurol. 2021; 28 (11):3556-3583.doi:10.1111/ene.1459.
Dyck PJB et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018; 93(6):777-793.doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.03.026.
Gable KL et al. Muscle & Nerve. 2020;1-8. doi:10.1002/mus.27038.
Bunschoten C, et al. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2019;24:253-59.
Broers MC, et al. Neuroepidemiology. 2019;52:161-72.
Allen JA, et al. J Neurol Sci. 2020;408:116497.
Mathey EK, et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2015;86:973-85.
Koike H et al. Neurol Ther. 2020;9:213-27.
Allen JA, et al. Lancet Neurol. 2024;23:1013-24.
Querol L, et al. Nat Rev Neurol. 2017; 13:533-47.
Dziadkowiak E et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23:2-13.
Karkare S, Blein, C. et al. Presented at the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research 2025, May 13-16, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Blein C, et al. Presented at the 2025 Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinical and Scientific Conference, March 16-19, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA.
Mathey et al. J Neuro! Neurosurg Pyschiatry. 2015; 86(9):973-985. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2014-309697.
Koike H et al. Ther. 2020;9:213-227. doi:10.1007/s40120-020-00190-8.
Dziadkowiak E, Waliszewska-Prosół M, Nowakowska-Kotas M, Burdrewicz S, Koszewicz M. Pathophysiology of the different clinical phenotypes of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Int J Mol Sci. 2021;23(1):179. doi:10.3390/ijma23010179.
Querol LA, Hartung HP, Lewis RA, et al. Neurotherapeutics. 2022;19(3):864-873.
Stascheidt F, et al. Acta Neuropathol. 2025 ;150-32.
Caballero-Ávila M, et al. Front Immunol. 2025 ;16 :1575464.

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Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)