Successful treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with oral cyclophosphamide

Lupus. 2012 Sep;21(10):1119-23. doi: 10.1177/0961203312440346. Epub 2012 Mar 20.

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathy is a known manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the association of primary autoimmune inflammatory neuropathies such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) with SLE is uncommon. We report a 26-year-old man who simultaneously presented with severe CIDP and photosensitive rash, but was unresponsive to intravenous immunoglobulin infusion and continued to progress. He was found to have underlying SLE and improved with combined corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy with oral cyclophosphamide. CIDP with underlying SLE may be more resistant to conventional therapy with IVIG, requiring the addition of other immunosuppressive agents.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Adult
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / complications*
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / drug therapy*
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclophosphamide