What You Know Can Change Lives
The GBS-CIDP Foundation is dedicated to being a resource for all those dealing with the disorder, including health professionals. Our global medical advisory board provides support for the industry. We publish documents that inform.
IVIG was discontinued by 7% of patients and plasma exchange was discontinued by 4%. More than 60% of plasma exchange patients experienced chronic indwelling of catheters or ports. 13% had at least one episode of sepsis.
These data suggest that immunoglobulin is the safest and best tolerated of the primary therapies for CIDP.
It really does help.
Advocacy Priorities for 2013
The GBS/CIDP Foundation International has been and continues to be very concerned about the health care reform law (Affordable Care Act – ACA) passed in 2010. Many of its’ parts have been implemented yet many more very critical components have not.
Denied IVIG Treatment?
If you have been denied treatment for IVIG, please let us know. We’ll reach out to you as soon as we can to see how we can help.
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Treatment Correlated with Remission as a Measure of Outcome
The average time between symptom onset and diagnosis/treatment was significantly different between patients who described their CIDP as “stable in remission with disability” (1 year) and those that described themselves as “stable in remission without disability” (5 months). In addition, patients who described their CIDP as in the “active or progressive” state the gap between symptom onset and treatment averaged 1.7 years.
Smaller intervals of time between symptom onset and treatment in CIDP patients correlated with halting disease progression and disability. Poorer outcome correlated with decreased motor function such as the ability to climb a flight of stairs, as well as increased pain severity. Quality of life survey showed that even moderate pain and altered emotional health interfered with physical and social activities.
Conclusion
This survey represents the largest CIDP survey completed in the U.S. and possibly the world. Though not necessarily representative of all ethnicities, there are conclusions that can be made based on the data:
- Immunoglobulin treatment is the most commonly used treatment for CIDP in the USA
- Smaller intervals of time between symptom onset and treatment in CIDP patients correlated with halting disease progression and disability.
- Poorer outcome correlated with decreased motor function such as the ability to climb a flight of stairs, as well as increased pain severity.
- Quality of life survey showed that even moderate pain and altered emotional health interfered with physical and social activities.
Please note that this article represents a summary of the full report released by Dr. Carol Lee Koski, Medical Director, GBS-CIDP Foundation International on July 16, 2011.
Physical Therapists & Assistants
FLEX Therapist CEUs for Physical Therapists & Assistants
Course Description
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) are acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorders of the peripheral nervous system. This course examines the causes of both disorders, as well as related disorders. The components of an initial evaluation for patients with these disorders will be reviewed, along with the principal goals of therapy and the plan for recovery.
Course Objectives
- Explain Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), and related disorders
- Summarize the list of concerns that should be recognized when working with a GBS or CIDP patient
- List the components of an initial GBS/CIDP evaluation
- Describe the principal goals of GBS/CIDP therapy and the plan of care for recovery
