To evaluate the impact of fatigue on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work productivity, daily functioning, and employment status in patients with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), independent of disability.

CIDP is an immune-mediated peripheral neuropathy characterized by distal and/or proximal weakness and sensory symptoms.

We analyzed matched physician–patient data from Adelphi’s CIDP Disease Specific Programme™ (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United States, Japan; n=310; April 2022–April 2023). Disability was assessed by physicians using the INCAT score (0–10; higher scores = greater disability). Patients completed the FACIT-Fatigue (0–52; lower scores = greater fatigue), I-RODS (0–100; lower scores = greater daily activity limitations), EQ-5D-5L, and WPAI (0–100; higher scores = greater productivity loss) questionnaires. EQ-5D-5L utility values were derived using the UK value set, anchored at 0 (death) and 1 (perfect health). Associations of INCAT and FACIT-Fatigue with I-RODS, EQ-5D-5L, and WPAI were assessed using multiple linear regression; logistic regression was used for employment status (employed/ not employed).

The mean age of participants was 54.4 years (SD 12.6); 59.4% were male, and 48.2% were employed. Mean scores were 0.65 (SD 0.25) for EQ-5D-5L utility values, 35.2 (SD 10.5) for FACIT-Fatigue, 64.6 (SD 21.6) for I-RODS, and 2.8 (SD 2.0) for INCAT.

Across models, greater fatigue was independently associated with worse outcomes after adjustment for disability. Specifically, greater fatigue was linked to lower HRQoL (β = –0.016, 95% CI [–0.018, –0.014]), higher work productivity losses (β = –1.44, 95% CI [–1.90, –0.99]), more limitations in daily activities (β = 1.12, 95% CI [0.92, 1.32]), and lower employment rates (OR =1.06, 95% CI [1.02, 1.10]).

Fatigue substantially affects HRQoL, work productivity, daily activities, and employment in CIDP, independent of disability. These findings highlight an important clinical challenge and opportunity to explore strategies to mitigate this unmet need.