In a remarkable medical success, Aster Hospital Sharjah has enabled a 46-year-old school teacher, Mrs. Annie Cherian, to regain control of her life after being diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare autoimmune disorder. Over six months, Mrs. Cherian experienced increasing weakness in her limbs, complicating everyday activities and profoundly impacting her professional life.
Dr. Rajesh Chaudhary, a specialist neurologist at Aster Hospital, diagnosed her condition, which affects roughly 1-2 people per 100,000 annually. CIDP is characterized by sensory loss, muscle weakness, and reflex loss due to nerve damage. “In Mrs. Cherian’s case, typical treatments like steroids were unsuitable due to her diabetes. We chose Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG), which, despite its cost and rigorous monitoring needs, offers rapid relief and was highly effective for her,” explained Dr. Chaudhary.
Mrs. Cherian’s treatment included a five-day IVIG regimen during her eight-day hospital stay, which included time in the ICU. The treatment led to significant health improvements, restoring her ability to perform daily tasks independently. “I am incredibly thankful to Dr. Chaudhary and the entire team at Aster Hospital. Their expertise not only restored my strength but also made me aware of the impact of autoimmune diseases and the importance of timely medical intervention,” said Mrs. Cherian.
Dr. Chaudhary highlighted the IVIG’s mechanism, stating, “IVIG works by binding to and neutralizing antibodies against self-tissue. Although predicting results can be difficult and may require repetitive doses, Mrs. Cherian’s response was positive, showcasing IVIG’s essential role in managing CIDP.”