Chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP) is characterized by sensory and motor nerve damage.
• Its onset is insidious, progression is slow or static, and the cause remains unidentified despite investigations.
• CIAP is common but lacks clarity regarding its pathogenesis, natural history, and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of Chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP).
• To highlight the need for further research into the aetiopathogenesis, natural history, and therapeutic strategies for CIAP.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted on the PubMed database.
• Search terms included "axonal", "cryptogenic", "idiopathic", or "unknown" combined with "neuropathy" or "polyneuropathy".
• 48 eligible articles were selected from an initial 658 identified papers.

Main Results:

• CIAP is typically diagnosed in the sixth decade of life, with a higher prevalence in males (3:2 ratio).
• The condition is generally slowly progressive.
• Preliminary data suggest a possible role for autoimmunity in CIAP.

Conclusions:

• CIAP is a prevalent yet under-researched form of polyneuropathy.
• Further large-scale prospective studies are necessary to explore the potential autoimmune link and its treatment implications.
• Increased awareness and research are crucial for better understanding and developing effective treatments for CIAP.