DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

An individual with CIDP typically experiences difficulty walking which progressively worsens over a period of a few months. Tingling or other abnormal sensations may also be experienced if the myelin sheath of the sensory nerves is damaged. Physical examination will usually show a loss of reflexes in the knee and ankle.

Evaluation by a neurologist will often include a nerve conduction velocity test. This will help determine if there is a slowing of conduction of electrical signals in the nerves, or even if conduction is blocked. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid, will typically show elevated levels of protein. Patients with variants of CIDP, such as multifocal motor neuropathy, may only show slowing of conduction in some motor nerves.