Anderson-Smits C, Layton JB, Ritchey ME, Hayden V, Chavan S, Souayah N. Patient and treatment characteristics of a large US sample of patients with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) initiating Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. Poster presented at the 2020 Muscle Study Group (MSG) Annual Virtual Meeting; September 25, 2020. [abstract] RRNMF Neu J. 2020 Sep; 1(4):61.

INTRODUCTION: CIDP is a rare immune-mediated neuropathy with significant burdens. Per guidelines, IVIG is first-line therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Describe characteristics of US patients with CIDP initiating IVIG treatment.

METHODS: Adult immunoglobulin-naïve patients with CIDP from 2008–2018 were identified via diagnosis coding using the IBM® Watson HealthTM MarketScan® Research Databases.

RESULTS: Demographics were similar between new IVIG users (n=3975) and the full cohort (n=32 090). IVIG users, compared with the full cohort, had greater comorbidity and symptom burden (eg, weakness and/or difficulty walking, neuropathic pain, diabetes, hypertension, leukemia/lymphoma, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, other autoimmunity disorders). Patient characteristics were similar by initial IVIG product, except for index treatment year.

CONCLUSIONS: There was a trend to initiate IVIG in patients with CIDP who had greater comorbidity and symptom burden. Patient characteristics were not correlated with initial IVIG selection; rather, difference in selection varied by year.