The management of patients with diabetes and demyelinating polyneuropathy is quite challenging; as it may be difficult to determine if the neuropathy is due to diabetes alone, versus a concomitant immune polyneuropathy, such as CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy).  Often, there may be overlap in clinical features (particularly if proximal weakness is present), nerve conduction testing, and cerebrospinal fluid profile. As a result, patients with diabetes have typically been excluded from treatment trials in inflammatory polyneuropathies.

Treatment phases consisted of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and normal saline placebo, separated by a 3-month washout phase.  The primary outcome measure was the mean change in ONLS (Overall Neuropathy Limitation Scale) during the IVIg phase, as compared with the placebo phase. Secondary outcomes include changes in the Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale, Medical Research Council sum scores, grip strength, electrophysiologic measurements, quality of life, and adverse effects.