Real-world treatment utilization in adults with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in the United States

TL;DR

This study examines how adults in the US are treated for a rare nerve disorder called CIDP, finding that steroids and immunoglobulin are commonly used, often together.

Contribution

The study provides real-world data on treatment patterns and unmet needs in CIDP patients in the US.

Findings

Most CIDP patients received treatment, with steroids and immunoglobulin being the most common therapies.

A significant proportion of immunoglobulin users were chronic users and often combined it with steroids.

Patients on high-dose steroids frequently used additional CIDP treatments like immunoglobulin.

Abstract

Management of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is challenged by heterogeneity in severity, comorbidities, potential adverse effects, and treatment accessibility. This study aimed to elucidate treatment utilization among patients with CIDP in the United States (US) to identify potential unmet needs.

Adult patients with CIDP were identified using Komodo Health’s Healthcare Map™ (January 2016–December 2020). Descriptive statistics related to utilization of CIDP treatments over 1-year post-index were analyzed. Among patients who used immunoglobulin (Ig), chronic Ig users were defined as patients with ≥8 Ig courses, and intermittent Ig users as patients with <8 Ig courses during 1-year post-index.

Among 3,409 patients with CIDP identified, the majority (81% [n = 2,758]) were treated for CIDP while 19% (n = 651) were untreated for CIDP during 1-year post-index. Steroids (73% [n = 2017]) followed by Ig (65% [n = 1,803]) were most commonly utilized. Of patients who used Ig, 62% (n = 1,113) were chronic and 38% (n = 690) were intermittent users during the 1-year post-index. A large proportion of Ig users received concomitant CIDP treatments, most commonly steroids. Patients who received >60 mg/day oral steroids on average over the 1-year post-index continued to use concomitant CIDP treatment, most commonly Ig.

Steroids and Ig were mainstay treatments among patients with CIDP. A substantial proportion of Ig users were chronic users who also received other CIDP therapies, with steroids being most common. This suggests a potentially pronounced burden among patients treated with frequent Ig and steroids.

Figures