What is the Role of PE therapy in CIDP?
The efficacy of PE therapy in CIDP has been confirmed in two double-blind randomized controlled studies.
With careful monitoring, benefit usually can be demonstrated within 6 weeks though improvement can be transient. PE is most commonly used in
(1) the subgroup of patients with disability requiring treatment with immediate effectiveness while prednisone therapy is initiated;
(2) patients with intermittent acute exacerbations; and (
3) patients who are refractory or intolerant of other immunosuppressive therapies or in whom such therapies present substantial risks (e.g., diabetic or immunocompromised patients).
Approximately 20% to 30% of patients with CIDP become refractory to all other therapies and are dependent on long-term intermittent PE or intravenous immunoglobulin.
