Chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy

Alternative names:

polyneuropathy - chronic inflammatory

Definition:

A disorder that involves slowly progressive or repeated episodes of loss of movement or sensation, related to inflammation of multiple nerves.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy affects approximately 6 out of 10,000 people. It is a common type of damage to nerves not in the brain or spinal cord (peripheral neuropathy) involving multiple nerves (polyneuropathy). An acute form of the disorder (Guillain-Barre syndrome) also exists .

Polyneuropathy implies a widespread process that usually affects both sides of the body equally. The cause of chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy is seen as an immune response. The specific antigens, immune process, and triggering factors are variable and in many cases are unknown.