Chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy is a common type of damage to nerves outside the brain or spinal cord (peripheral neuropathy) involving multiple nerves (polyneuropathy). An acute form of the disorder is called Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Polyneuropathy implies a widespread process that usually affects both sides of the body equally. The cause of chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy is an abnormal immune response. The specific antigens, immune processes, and triggering factors are variable and in many cases are unknown.
It may occur in association with other conditions such as HIV, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus erythematosis, chronic active hepatitis, and blood cell abnormalities.
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