To investigate the long-term efficacy and tolerability of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) in patients suffering from chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) in a real-world setting.

CIDP is a chronic neurologic disease of the peripheral nervous system which is characterized by a relapsing-remitting or chronic disease course. Current treatment regimens encompass corticosteroids and other immunosuppressant as well as IVIG. So far, not much is known about the long-term disease course in CIDP patients which are treated with IVIG.

Baseline data as well as INCAT scores before and under IVIG treatment were retrospectively analysed from the charts of CIDP patients seen from April 2010 to August 2018. CIDP was diagnosed according to EFNS/PNS criteria. Statistics were performed with Chi Square or Wilcoxon test as well as logistic regression.

Out of a total of 126 patients suffering from immune neuropathies, 49 patients with a mean age of 59.9 years and a mean disease duration of 6.2 years were continuously treated with a mean dosage of 86.6 g IVIG every 4.4 weeks for a mean time of 45.3 months. The mean INCAT score was 3.3 ± 2.6 before IVIG treatment and improved to 2.0 ± 0.2 at the end of the observation period (p < 0.001). Females and patients with a relapsing disease course or initial higher INCAT scores were more likely to benefit. Treatment was generally well tolerated, only two patients showed severe adverse events (one event of thrombosis and anaphylaxis each).

Long-term treatment with IVIG significantly improved INCAT scores in CIDP patients thus reflecting good efficacy as well as tolerability of IVIG in real-world settings.