PHYSICIAN INSIGHTS ON CIDP CARE IN CANADA: UNMET NEEDS, ACCESS BARRIERS, AND EFGARTIGIMOD SC
Author(s)
Hans Katzberg, MD1, Zaeem A. Siddiqi, MD2, Bupe Mwaikambo, PhD3, Erika Assimakopoulos, MSc4, Kristen Moulten, MSc5, Kate E. Brown, PhD5, Rami Massie, MD6, Vera Bril, MD1;
1University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada, 2University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, 3Argenx, Vaughan, ON, Canada, 4Argenx, Vaughan, ON, ON, Canada, 5Medlior Health Outcomes Research, Calgary, AB, Canada, 6Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
1University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada, 2University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, 3Argenx, Vaughan, ON, Canada, 4Argenx, Vaughan, ON, ON, Canada, 5Medlior Health Outcomes Research, Calgary, AB, Canada, 6Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to understand the Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) management landscape in Canada and the role of efgartigimod alfa injection, a neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker administered subcutaneously. CIDP is a rare, progressive, immune-mediated neuropathy associated with significant disability, high treatment burden, and persistent unmet needs despite therapies such as immunoglobulins, plasma exchange, and corticosteroids. Given limitations of current treatment options, there is growing interest in, and need for, novel therapies.
METHODS: Eleven Canadian neurologists from six provinces with expertise in CIDP participated in a survey and structured interview. Qualitative insights from these interviews and open-ended survey responses were analyzed thematically using NVIVO software with AI assist.
RESULTS: Key themes included difficulties in diagnosing, assessing, and defining disease stability; significant unmet needs and treatment barriers in CIDP; and opportunities for new treatment options. Heterogeneity in disease presentation and inconsistent definitions of remission and stability contribute to treatment complexity. Neurologists reported that traditional treatment options are often inconvenient, are associated with side effects, and that up to 40% of patients have an inadequate response or intolerance to intravenous immunoglobulin, the most common treatment for CIDP. All 11 neurologists cited geography, logistics, or access as a barrier, and seven highlighted potential blood product shortages as a concern. These unmet needs underscore the requirement for newer and effective therapies. Options such as efgartigimod have the potential to improve CIDP care and patient quality of life; however, logistical and evidence gaps remain, and switching between treatments is complex. Clinicians highlighted the importance of both efficacy and effectiveness data.
CONCLUSIONS: Insights from Canadian neurologists underscore the limitations of traditional CIDP therapies and the urgent need for system-level innovation. These findings support equitable access to novel options such as efgartigimod to address critical unmet needs and improve outcomes for patients living with CIDP.
METHODS: Eleven Canadian neurologists from six provinces with expertise in CIDP participated in a survey and structured interview. Qualitative insights from these interviews and open-ended survey responses were analyzed thematically using NVIVO software with AI assist.
RESULTS: Key themes included difficulties in diagnosing, assessing, and defining disease stability; significant unmet needs and treatment barriers in CIDP; and opportunities for new treatment options. Heterogeneity in disease presentation and inconsistent definitions of remission and stability contribute to treatment complexity. Neurologists reported that traditional treatment options are often inconvenient, are associated with side effects, and that up to 40% of patients have an inadequate response or intolerance to intravenous immunoglobulin, the most common treatment for CIDP. All 11 neurologists cited geography, logistics, or access as a barrier, and seven highlighted potential blood product shortages as a concern. These unmet needs underscore the requirement for newer and effective therapies. Options such as efgartigimod have the potential to improve CIDP care and patient quality of life; however, logistical and evidence gaps remain, and switching between treatments is complex. Clinicians highlighted the importance of both efficacy and effectiveness data.
CONCLUSIONS: Insights from Canadian neurologists underscore the limitations of traditional CIDP therapies and the urgent need for system-level innovation. These findings support equitable access to novel options such as efgartigimod to address critical unmet needs and improve outcomes for patients living with CIDP.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
HSD110
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Disease
SDC: Neurological Disorders