Diagnostic spectrum and clinical outcomes of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: a multicenter cohort
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University , ,
- 2National Neuroscience Institute, King Fahad Medical City , ,
- 3Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University , ,
- 4Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University , ,
- 5Prince Sultan Military Medical City , ,
- 6Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University , ,
- 7Department of Neurology, King Fahad Specialist Hospital , ,
Abstract
Background: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is the most common immune-mediated demyelinating polyneuropathy, yet data from Arab populations are scarce. We present the first multicenter retrospective Arab cohort describing demographic, clinical, electrophysiological features, and treatment outcomes of CIDP.
Methods: Electronic records from five hospitals in Saudi Arabia were searched between January 2014 and January 2025 for patients diagnosed with CIDP. Patients meeting 2021 EAN/PNS criteria, aged 3 to 80 years, with a minimum follow-up of 3 months were included. Outcome at initial and last visit assessed using MRCSS and INCAT disability scores, with minimal clinically important differences defined as a 4-point and 1-point change in each score, respectively.
Results: Thirty-six (18 male, 18 female) met criteria (33 CIDP,3 possible CIDP). Onset age averaged 33 years (40 years in adult-onset cases). Typical CIDP was predominant (72%), with distal, motor-predominant, and multifocal variants representing 8% each. All motor demyelinating features were upper limb predominant. Maintenance monotherapy, mainly IVIG (42%) or oral steroids (33%), was used to treat 75% of patients. Over 55 months, meaningful improvement was achieved in 89% (INCAT) and 83% (MRCSS) with 3.7- and 11.9-point changes, respectively ( p < 0.001). Relapses occurred in 42% at a mean of 11 months, mostly due to suboptimal response or non-compliance.
Conclusion: This is the first Arab multicenter CIDP study, which shows earlier disease onset than North American and European cohorts, with a similar clinical phenotype. Despite a 42% relapse rate, most patients showed meaningful improvement. These findings provide a regional benchmark for future prospective studies.
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BibTeX
@article{alhammad2026diagnostic,
title = {{Diagnostic spectrum and clinical outcomes of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: a multicenter cohort}},
author = {Reem M. Alhammad and Abdulrahman Ali and Roula Alhadyan and Ahmad R. Abuzinadah and Ahmed K. Bamaga and Muteb Alotaibi and Rawan Albalawi and Raseel Aljthalin and Raed Gasemaltayeb and Talal M. Al-Harbi and Faisal Tarabzouni and Hana Albulaihe and Mohammed H. Alanazy and Meshal M. Alfallaj},
journal = {Frontiers in neurology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fneur.2026.1958666},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13670914},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Diagnostic spectrum and clinical outcomes of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: a multicenter cohort
AU - Reem M. Alhammad
AU - Abdulrahman Ali
AU - Roula Alhadyan
AU - Ahmad R. Abuzinadah
AU - Ahmed K. Bamaga
AU - Muteb Alotaibi
AU - Rawan Albalawi
AU - Raseel Aljthalin
AU - Raed Gasemaltayeb
AU - Talal M. Al-Harbi
AU - Faisal Tarabzouni
AU - Hana Albulaihe
AU - Mohammed H. Alanazy
AU - Meshal M. Alfallaj
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Frontiers in neurology
DO - 10.3389/fneur.2026.1958666
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13670914
AB - Background: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is the most common immune-mediated demyelinating polyneuropathy, yet data from Arab populations are scarce. We present the first multicenter retrospective Arab cohort describing demographic, clinical, electrophysiological features, and treatment outcomes of CIDP. Methods: Electronic records from five hospitals in Saudi Arabia were searched between January 2014 and January 2025 for patients diagnosed with CIDP. Patients meeting 2021 EAN/PNS criteria, aged 3 to 80 years, with a minimum follow-up of 3 months were included. Outcome at initial and last visit assessed using MRCSS and INCAT disability scores, with minimal clinically important differences defined as a 4-point and 1-point change in each score, respectively. Results: Thirty-six (18 male, 18 female) met criteria (33 CIDP,3 possible CIDP). Onset age averaged 33 years (40 years in adult-onset cases). Typical CIDP was predominant (72%), with distal, motor-predominant, and multifocal variants representing 8% each. All motor demyelinating features were upper limb predominant. Maintenance monotherapy, mainly IVIG (42%) or oral steroids (33%), was used to treat 75% of patients. Over 55 months, meaningful improvement was achieved in 89% (INCAT) and 83% (MRCSS) with 3.7- and 11.9-point changes, respectively ( p < 0.001). Relapses occurred in 42% at a mean of 11 months, mostly due to suboptimal response or non-compliance. Conclusion: This is the first Arab multicenter CIDP study, which shows earlier disease onset than North American and European cohorts, with a similar clinical phenotype. Despite a 42% relapse rate, most patients showed meaningful improvement. These findings provide a regional benchmark for future prospective studies.
SN - 1664-2295
ER -