Skin Biopsy as a Biomarker in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (4316)

Objective: This study aimed to determine the utility of skin biopsies as a biomarker of disease activity status and treatment effect in CIDP. Background: There is an increasing number of publications reporting skin biopsy as a useful biomarker for evaluating treatment efficacy and prognosis in neurological diseases such as diabetic polyneuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome and familial amiloid polyneuropathy. Design/Methods: The study included 17 CIDP (8 typical CIDP and 9 atypical CIDP) cases and 10 sex and age-matched healthy donors. All subjects underwent neurological examination and 3 mm skin biopsies at different levels in the forearm, thigh and distal leg. Sections were stained with anti-protein gene product (PGP) 9.5. Intraepidermal nerve fiber densities (IENFD) were measured using European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society guideline on the use of skin biopsy published in 2010. Correlations between IENFD and International Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability score were evaluated. Results: IENFD was significantly reduced in all three skin biopsy regions in CIDP patients vs. healthy controls (respectively for distal leg, thigh and forearm; p Conclusions: These findings indicate that cutaneous innervation is impaired in CIDP and skin is an eligible tissue to establish disease activity status and has potential as a biomarker to detect treatment response and prognosis in CIDP. Disclosure: Dr. Parman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ozdag Acarli has nothing to disclose. Dr. Unverengil has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sirin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cakar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Durmus has nothing to disclose.