Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: a prevalence study in south east England

Although there are now widely accepted diagnostic criteria for chronic infl ammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) there are few epidemio logical data. A prevalence study was performed in the four Thames health re gions, population 14 049 850. The prevalence date was 1 January 1995. Data were from a national consultant neurologist surveillance programme and the personal case series of two investigators. A diagnosis of CIDP was made acc ording to definite, probable, possible, or suggestive diagnostic criteria. A wide difference in prevalence rates between the four health regions was n oted, probably due to reporting bias. In the South East Thames Region, from which the data were most comprehensive the prevalence for definite and pro bable cases was 1.00/100 000; the highest total prevalence (if possible and suggestive cases were included) would have been 1.24/100 000. On the preva lence date 13% of patients required aid to walk and 54% were still receivin g treatment.