Diagnostic Delay, Misdiagnosis Remain Common in CIDP Despite Extensive Testing

Background: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is a heterogeneous immune-mediated neuropathy with variable presentation that complicates timely diagnosis. Objective: To examine diagnostic pathways and factors associated with delay. Design/Participants: Large, multinational, real-world survey involving patients with a diagnosis of CIDP. Methods: Patients underwent a substantial diagnostic burden, averaging nearly 20 diagnostic tests, most commonly nerve conduction studies (98%) and laboratory investigations. Results: 542 patients (mean age, 54 years; 62% male) were included. A key finding was that 37% of patients were misdiagnosed at least once, most commonly as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 7 months, with delays occurring both before and after initial consultation. Regression analysis demonstrated that mild symptom onset, CIDP variants, and prior misdiagnosis significantly prolonged diagnostic time, more...