Clinico-electrophysiological profile and predictors of functional outcome in Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS)

Prediction of mechanical ventilation in Guillain-Barré syndrome at admission: Construction of a nomogram and comparison with the EGRIS model

Background

Respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) is a common and severe complication of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with a reported incidence ranging from 20 % to 30 %. Thus, we aim to develop a nomogram to evaluate the risk of MV in patients with GBS at admission and tailor individualized care and treatment.

Methods

A total of 633 patients with GBS (434 in the training set, and 199 in the validation set) admitted to the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China from January 2010 to January 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. Subjects (n = 71) from the same institution from January 2021 to May 2022 were prospectively collected and allocated to the testing set. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to build a predictive model incorporating the optimal features selected in the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) in the training set. The predictive model was validated using internal bootstrap resampling, an external validation set, and a prospective testing set, and the model's performance was assessed by using the concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Finally, we established a multivariable logistic model by using variables of the Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (EGRIS) and did the same analysis to compare the performance of our predictive model with the EGRIS model.

Results

Variables in the final model selected by LASSO included time from onset to admission, facial and/or bulbar weakness, Medical Research Council sum score at admission, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio. The model presented as a nomogram displaying favorable discriminative ability with a C-index of 0.914 in the training set, 0.903 in the internal validation set, 0.953 in the external validation set, and 0.929 in the testing set. The model was well-calibrated and clinically useful as assessed by the calibration curve and DCA. As compared with the EGRIS model, our predictive model displayed satisfactory performance.

Conclusions

We constructed a nomogram for early prediction of the risk of MV in patients with GBS. This model had satisfactory performance and appeared more efficient than the EGRIS model in Chinese patients with GBS.

Incidence of Cardiovascular Instability in Patients With Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Retrospective Study

Introduction Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease affecting radicles and peripheral nerves resulting in acute flaccid paralysis. Respiratory failure, autonomic dysfunction, and secondary complications such as pneumonia, and venous thromboembolism are the major causes of death and disability in GBS. Cardiovascular complications play a major role in the prognosis of GBS patients. The aim is to determine the incidence of cardiovascular instability in GBS patients and to see if there are any specific risk groups associated with the development of cardiovascular instability. Methodology This is a retrospective descriptive study conducted in a tertiary care center in South India. Data on 50 consecutive GBS patients were collected from hospital records including case sheets, death summaries, and discharge summaries. Patients with evidence of sepsis, blood loss, heavy alcohol consumption, and chronic liver disease were excluded from the study. Baseline demographic data, symptom onset to admission time, baseline Erasmus Guillain-Barré Syndrome Respiratory Insufficiency Score (EGRIS), and baseline liver function tests were documented. The presence of heart rate and blood pressure fluctuations was noted from the records. Frequency data were calculated from the categorical variables. Analysis of non-parametric variables by chi-square test was done using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0 (Released 2017; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results Cardiovascular instability was present in 15 (30%) patients in the study population. It was present in all patients (100%) who require mechanical ventilation. The incidence of cardiovascular instability was higher in patients who had lesser onset to admission times (41.9% vs 10.5%; p=0.019), EGRIS≥4 (40.6% vs 11.1%; p=0.029), and lower cranial nerve involvement (40% vs 6.7%; p=0.018). Conclusion Of patients with GBS, 30% developed cardiovascular instability during their disease course. Patients with lesser onset to admission times, EGRIS ≥4, and those with lower cranial nerve involvement had a greater incidence of cardiovascular instability.

European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society Guideline on diagnosis and treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute polyradiculoneuropathy. Symptoms may vary greatly in presentation and severity. Besides weakness and sensory disturbances, patients may have cranial nerve involvement, respiratory insufficiency, autonomic dysfunction and pain. To develop an evidence-based guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of GBS, using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology a Task Force (TF) of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) and the Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS) constructed 14 Population/Intervention/Comparison/Outcome questions (PICOs) covering diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of GBS, which guided the literature search. Data were extracted and summarised in GRADE Summaries of Findings (for treatment PICOs) or Evidence Tables (for diagnostic and prognostic PICOs). Statements were prepared according to GRADE Evidence-to-Decision (EtD) frameworks. For the six intervention PICOs, evidence-based recommendations are made. For other PICOs, good practice points (GPPs) are formulated. For diagnosis, the principal GPPs are: GBS is more likely if there is a history of recent diarrhoea or respiratory infection; CSF examination is valuable, particularly when the diagnosis is less certain; electrodiagnostic testing is advised to support the diagnosis; testing for anti-ganglioside antibodies is of limited clinical value in most patients with typical motor-sensory GBS, but anti-GQ1b antibody testing should be considered when Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is suspected; nodal-paranodal antibodies should be tested when autoimmune nodopathy is suspected; MRI or ultrasound imaging should be considered in atypical cases; and changing the diagnosis to acute-onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (A-CIDP) should be considered if progression continues after 8 weeks from onset, which occurs in around 5% of patients initially diagnosed with GBS. For treatment, the TF recommends intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) 0.4 g/kg for 5 days, in patients within 2 weeks (GPP also within 2-4 weeks) after onset of weakness if unable to walk unaided, or a course of plasma exchange (PE) 12-15 L in four to five exchanges over 1-2 weeks, in patients within 4 weeks after onset of weakness if unable to walk unaided. The TF recommends against a second IVIg course in GBS patients with a poor prognosis; recommends against using oral corticosteroids, and weakly recommends against using IV corticosteroids; does not recommend PE followed immediately by IVIg; weakly recommends gabapentinoids, tricyclic antidepressants or carbamazepine for treatment of pain; does not recommend a specific treatment for fatigue. To estimate the prognosis of individual patients, the TF advises using the modified Erasmus GBS outcome score (mEGOS) to assess outcome, and the modified Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (mEGRIS) to assess the risk of requiring artificial ventilation. Based on the PICOs, available literature and additional discussions, we provide flow charts to assist making clinical decisions on diagnosis, treatment and the need for intensive care unit admission.

Predicting of Mechanical Ventilation and Outcomes by Using Models and Biomarker in Guillain-Barré Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory neuropathy. The Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (EGRIS) and the modified Erasmus GBS Outcome Score (mEGOS) are prognostic models used in the prediction of mechanical ventilation and outcome. Thus far, there are only few biomarkers for the prognosis prediction of GBS patients, and albumin level is one that is promising.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with GBS from 2013 to 2022 at Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, China, were included. Patients hospitalized between 2016 and 2022 underwent short- and long-term follow-ups. The correlations between EGRIS/mEGOS and mechanical ventilation and outcome were evaluated. Serum albumin level was examined the day after admission. Furthermore, we also investigated whether the level of serum albumin was useful in predicting disease severity or poor outcome.

RESULTS

In all, 145 patients were enrolled. Nineteen patients (13.1%) who required mechanical ventilation had higher Hughes GBS disability score (HGDS) at admission and discharge (P < 0.05 and P < 0.0001, respectively), shorter time from onset to admission and treatment (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively) and longer hospital stays (P < 0.001) than patients who did not require mechanical ventilation. High EGRIS scores were linked with the need for mechanical ventilation (r = 0.427, P < 0.001, AUC = 0.623). Seventy-one patients were admitted between 2016 and 2022. Of these, 65 patients had a 4-week follow-up and 61 had a 6-month follow-up. Higher mEGOS scores at admission and 7 days after admission significantly correlated with short- (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001) and long-term (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05) outcomes, respectively. No significant difference in outcome was found between different subtypes (4 weeks [P = 0.099] and 6 months [P = 0.172]). Patients with lower albumin level tended to have higher HGDS (at admission P < 0.05, at nadir P < 0.001, and at discharge P < 0.001) and higher properties of the need of mechanical ventilation (P < 0.05) and ICU stay (P < 0.05) than those with normal albumin levels. Those with low albumin levels were also unable to walk independently at 6 months (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

mEGOS scores predicted the outcomes of GBS patients in China, and EGRIS score predicted the need for mechanical ventilation in these patients. Albumin level at admission correlated well with disease severity and outcomes.

Deltoid muscle strength and autonomic dysfunction as independent risk factors for invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome

BACKGROUND

Almost a third of patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) require mechanical ventilation, increasing mortality by 15-30% and proving poor functional outcomes. The Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (EGRIS) is the most frequently used scale to assess probability of respiratory insufficiency within the first week of admission. We aim to determine other clinical and electrophysiological prognostic factors for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in patients with GBS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional ambispective cohort study was carried out in a referral center in Mexico City, from January 2015 to December 2019. Baseline demographics, MRC score, Hughes scale, EGRIS, dysautonomia and nerve conduction studies were performed on admission in GBS patients that required IMV. A multivariable analysis for IMV and a survival analysis for independent walk in prolonged-IMV (>14 days) were performed.

RESULTS

Forty-nine (32%) out of 153 GBS patients required IMV. Statistically significant prognostic factors in multivariable analysis were deltoid muscle strength ≤2 [OR 7.1 (1.6-31.1)], EGRIS [OR 2.5 (1.3-4.6)] and autonomic dysfunction [OR 6.6 (2.0-22.0)]. Electrodecrement <1 mV in the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of distal motor median nerve was more prevalent in prolonged-IMV patients (44.8% vs. 21%, p = .049). A significant minor prevalence of prolonged-IMV patients regain independent walk at 6 months using the Kaplan-Meier method (log rank test p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

We provide new specific clinical (deltoid muscle strength and autonomic dysfunction) and electrophysiological variables to discriminate GBS patients that will require IMV.

European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society Guideline on diagnosis and treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute polyradiculoneuropathy. Symptoms may vary greatly in presentation and severity. Besides weakness and sensory disturbances, patients may have cranial nerve involvement, respiratory insufficiency, autonomic dysfunction and pain. To develop an evidence-based guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of GBS, using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, a Task Force (TF) of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) and the Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS) constructed 14 Population/Intervention/Comparison/Outcome questions (PICOs) covering diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of GBS, which guided the literature search. Data were extracted and summarised in GRADE Summaries of Findings (for treatment PICOs) or Evidence Tables (for diagnostic and prognostic PICOs). Statements were prepared according to GRADE Evidence-to-Decision (EtD) frameworks. For the six intervention PICOs, evidence-based recommendations are made. For other PICOs, good practice points (GPPs) are formulated. For diagnosis, the principal GPPs are: GBS is more likely if there is a history of recent diarrhoea or respiratory infection; CSF examination is valuable, particularly when the diagnosis is less certain; electrodiagnostic testing is advised to support the diagnosis; testing for anti-ganglioside antibodies is of limited clinical value in most patients with typical motor-sensory GBS, but anti-GQ1b antibody testing should be considered when Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is suspected; nodal-paranodal antibodies should be tested when autoimmune nodopathy is suspected; MRI or ultrasound imaging should be considered in atypical cases; and changing the diagnosis to acute-onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (A-CIDP) should be considered if progression continues after 8 weeks from onset, which occurs in around 5% of patients initially diagnosed with GBS. For treatment, the TF recommends intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) 0.4 g/kg for 5 days, in patients within 2 weeks (GPP also within 2-4 weeks) after onset of weakness if unable to walk unaided, or a course of plasma exchange (PE) 12-15 L in four to five exchanges over 1-2 weeks, in patients within 4 weeks after onset of weakness if unable to walk unaided. The TF recommends against a second IVIg course in GBS patients with a poor prognosis; recommends against using oral corticosteroids, and weakly recommends against using IV corticosteroids; does not recommend PE followed immediately by IVIg; weakly recommends gabapentinoids, tricyclic antidepressants or carbamazepine for treatment of pain; does not recommend a specific treatment for fatigue. To estimate the prognosis of individual patients, the TF advises using the modified Erasmus GBS outcome score (mEGOS) to assess outcome, and the modified Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (mEGRIS) to assess the risk of requiring artificial ventilation. Based on the PICOs, available literature and additional discussions, we provide flow charts to assist making clinical decisions on diagnosis, treatment and the need for intensive care unit admission.

Emerging biomarkers to predict clinical outcomes in Guillain-Barré syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated poly(radiculo)neuropathy with a variable clinical outcome. Identifying patients who are at risk of suffering from long-term disabilities is a great challenge. Biomarkers are useful to confirm diagnosis, monitor disease progression, and predict outcome.

AREAS COVERED

The authors provide an overview of the diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for GBS, which are useful for establishing early treatment strategies and follow-up care plans.

EXPERT OPINION

Detecting patients at risk of developing a severe outcome may improve management of disease progression and limit potential complications. Several clinical factors are associated with poor prognosis: higher age, presence of diarrhea within 4 weeks of symptom onset, rapid and severe weakness progression, dysautonomia, decreased vital capacity and facial, bulbar, and neck weakness. Biological, neurophysiological and imaging measures of unfavorable outcome include multiple anti-ganglioside antibodies elevation, increased serum and CSF neurofilaments light (NfL) and heavy chain, decreased NfL CSF/serum ratio, hypoalbuminemia, nerve conduction study with early signs of demyelination or axonal loss and enlargement of nerve cross-sectional area on ultrasound. Depicting prognostic biomarkers aims at predicting short-term mortality and need for cardio-pulmonary support, long-term patient functional outcome, guiding treatment decisions and monitoring therapeutic responses in future clinical trials.

Guidelines for Neuroprognostication in Adults with Guillain-Barré Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) often carries a favorable prognosis. Of adult patients with GBS, 10-30% require mechanical ventilation during the acute phase of the disease. After the acute phase, the focus shifts to restoration of motor strength, ambulation, and neurological function, with variable speed and degree of recovery. The objective of these guidelines is to provide recommendations on the reliability of select clinical predictors that serve as the basis of neuroprognostication and provide guidance to clinicians counseling adult patients with GBS and/or their surrogates.

METHODS

A narrative systematic review was completed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Candidate predictors, including clinical variables and prediction models, were selected based on clinical relevance and presence of appropriate body of evidence. The Population/Intervention/Comparator/Outcome/Time frame/Setting (PICOTS) question was framed as follows: "When counseling patients or surrogates of critically ill patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, should [predictor, with time of assessment if appropriate] be considered a reliable predictor of [outcome, with time frame of assessment]?" Additional full-text screening criteria were used to exclude small and lower quality studies. Following construction of an evidence profile and summary of findings, recommendations were based on four GRADE criteria: quality of evidence, balance of desirable and undesirable consequences, values and preferences, and resource use. In addition, good practice recommendations addressed essential principles of neuroprognostication that could not be framed in PICOTS format.

RESULTS

Eight candidate clinical variables and six prediction models were selected. A total of 45 articles met our eligibility criteria to guide recommendations. We recommend bulbar weakness (the degree of motor weakness at disease nadir) and the Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score as moderately reliable for prediction of the need for mechanical ventilation. The Erasmus GBS Outcome Score (EGOS) and modified EGOS were identified as moderately reliable predictors of independent ambulation at 3 months and beyond. Good practice recommendations include consideration of both acute and recovery phases of the disease during prognostication, discussion of the possible need for mechanical ventilation and enteral nutrition during counseling, and consideration of the complete clinical condition as opposed to a single variable during prognostication.

CONCLUSIONS

These guidelines provide recommendations on the reliability of predictors of the need for mechanical ventilation, poor functional outcome, and independent ambulation following GBS in the context of counseling patients and/or surrogates and suggest broad principles of neuroprognostication. Few predictors were considered moderately reliable based on the available body of evidence, and higher quality data are needed.

The early clinical and laboratory predictors of GBS outcome: hospital-based study, Assiut University, Upper Egypt

Background

This study was designed to identify factors that influence outcomes in a large group of well-defined Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) patients with a 3-month follow-up period. Sixty-two cases of GBS with a mean age of 37.15 ± 17.60 years (33 males and 29 females) were recruited in the first 2 weeks after onset. Clinical history, examination, and a variety of rating scales including Medial Research Council sum score (MRC), Erasmus Guillain-Barré respiratory insufficiency score (EGRIS), at admission and 10 days later were performed. Follow-up investigations at 3 months included the Hughes Disability Scale (HDS), and Overall Neuropathy Limitation Scale (ONLS).

Results

64.5% of participants had cranial nerve deficits, 45% had neck muscle weakness, 30.6% had dysautonomia, and 8.1% were mechanically ventilated. C-reactive protein was elevated in 38.7%, and hyponatremia was recorded in 30.6% of patients. Older age, antecedent events particularly diarrhea, neck muscles weakness, low MRC sum score, impaired cough reflex, dysautonomia, and hyponatremia, were all significantly associated with poor outcomes at 3 months using HDS and ONLS. Regression analysis with dependent variables of HDS outcome showed that the presence of an antecedent event particularly diarrhea, neck muscle weakness, hyponatremia and the presence cytoalbuminous dissociation of CSF at onset, and low MRC sum score at 10th day after treatment, were predictors of poor outcome.

Conclusion

Clinical and laboratory predictors of poor outcome were older age, the presence of an antecedent event particularly diarrhea, low MRC sum score at the 10th day, elevated CRP, hyponatremia and the presence cytoalbuminous dissociation.

A novel prognostic system based on clinical and laboratory parameters for childhood Guillain-Barre syndrome

AIM

To develop a score based on clinical and laboratory parameters in acute-phase of GBS to predict outcome at 6 months.

METHODS

Clinical and laboratory assessment at admission including blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), pre and post-immunotherapy serum albumin was prospectively performed in pediatric-GBS cases at a tertiary-care hospital over 1 year. Clinical features and laboratory test results were compared between children with complete (Hughes Disability Score; HDS ≤ 1) and incomplete recovery (HDS > 1) at 6 months from onset, using univariate and multivariate analysis. Area-under-receiver-operating-characteristic-curve (AUC) of predictors of prognosis and their optimal cutoffs were assessed.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients were enrolled (mean age 69.1 ± 35.2 months; male 57.6%). Factors on admission that independently predicted poor-outcome at 6 months were older age, feeble voice, lower NLR and lower post-immunotherapy serum albumin. AUCs and optimal cutoffs of NLR and post-immunotherapy serum albumin for predicting disability at 6 months were 0.729, 0.781 and ≤ 1.65, ≤ 34.5 g/L, respectively. AUCs of clinical parameters such as older age and feeble voice were 0.749 and 0.713 respectively. King GBS outcomescore including all predictors had maximum AUC of 0.971 (95% CI 0.921-1.02). The score at cutoff ≥ 3 demonstrated excellent sensitivity (92.3%) and specificity (96.7%) to determine poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

This new prognostic system may be beneficial in recognising children-at-risk of poor prognosis who may benefit from additional treatment.

Clinical predictors and electrodiagnostic characteristics in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome with respiratory failure: a retrospective, matched case-control study

BACKGROUND

Respiratory failure is a common complication of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). This study aimed to determine the clinical predictors and electrodiagnostic (EDx) characteristics in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with respiratory failure.

METHODS

The retrospective study included 29 confirmed GBS cases with respiratory failure and age- (±5 years) and sex-matched controls (1:1). The dependent t-test and McNemar-Bowker test were used to analyse the continuous and categorical data, respectively. In addition, a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the predictive factors for respiratory failure.

RESULTS

Among both cases and controls, the majority were male (72.4%), and the average age was 50.9 years. The data showed that patients with respiratory failure had higher GBS disability scores, lower motor power (≤3) of the hip flexors and ankle dorsiflexors, and experienced facial and bulbar palsy. In the multivariate analysis, the significant predictive factors were bulbar palsy (AOR 10.4 [95% CI [2.6-41.4]) and motor power of hip flexors ≤ 3 (AOR 31.4 [95% CI [3.1-314.5]). Patients with respiratory failure had lower compound muscle action potential amplitude of the ulnar and tibial nerves. The median, ulnar, and tibial nerve conduction studies were more likely to reflect inexcitability. The GBS subtypes in GBS patients with and without respiratory failure were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

Bulbar palsy and motor power of the hip flexors ≤ 3 were significant predictors for respiratory failure. The GBS subtypes in patients with and without respiratory failure were not significantly different.

Clinical features and real-world outcomes of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the Philippines

BACKGROUND

Our study aimed to determine the profile of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in the Philippines, compare the outcomes who received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), and determine the factors related to hospital stay and late motor recovery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult GBS patients admitted to the Philippine General Hospital from 2009 to 2019.

RESULTS

We included 105 patients with confirmed GBS diagnoses. The median age was 43 years (interquartile range 32 to 56); the female-to-male ratio was 1.62:1; the predominant variant was acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (n = 40, 38.1%). The difference in outcomes of patients in the IVIg (n = 44) and TPE (n = 24) groups (walking with aid/GBS-disability scores/ventilator dependency at 1 month, duration dependent on the ventilator, intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay) were not statistically significant, except for mild disability at 1 month (p = 0.009). Pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and dysautonomia were significantly related to a prolonged hospital stay. No predetermined variables were associated with late motor recovery. After adjusting for age and sex, the cumulative hazard risk for late motor recovery was 0.69 (95% CI 0.27-1.74).

CONCLUSION

Our study presented the first comprehensive information regarding the features and outcomes of GBS patients in the Philippines.

ABBREVIATIONS

AIDP - Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; AMAN - Acute motor axonal neuropathy; AMSAN - Acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy; GBS - Guillain-Barré syndrome; GBS-DS - Guillain-Barré syndrome disability scale; ICU - Intensive care unit; IVIg - Intravenous immunoglobulin; MFS - Miller-Fisher syndrome; PGH - Philippine General Hospital; TPE - Therapeutic plasma exchange.

Readmissions After Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Nationally Representative Data

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to obtain nationally representative data on hospital readmission rates after Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS).

METHODS

International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision codes from the 2013 National Readmissions Database identified adult GBS admissions, comorbidities, and readmission diagnoses. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) for readmission.

RESULTS

Of 2109 GBS admissions identified, 20.8% were readmitted within 1 year and 12.2% within 30 days. Age did not predict readmission. Plasmapheresis use showed a nonsignificant trend toward readmission versus intravenous immunoglobulin use [OR 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-2.051, P = 0.050]. Respiratory failure (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.23-2.35, P = 0.0014), heart failure (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.25-3.66, P = 0.0057), and renal failure (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.20-3.32, P = 0.0078) predicted readmission. Top readmission diagnoses included GBS or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (42.0%) and sepsis (3.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

One-fifth of GBS patients were readmitted within 1 year. Comorbid illnesses and respiratory complications increased a readmission risk but age did not.

Frequency of Autonomic Dysfunction in Patients of Guillain Barre Syndrome in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is defined as a syndrome manifesting as an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) with coexistent weakness and absent or diminished reflexes clinically.Autonomic dysfunction (AD) or dysautonomia is a common finding in GBS. Autonomic dysfunction usually occurs in the acute phase of the illness but can also be seen in the recovery phase. The rationale of our study is to determine the frequency of autonomic dysfunction in patients of GBS admitted to the Neurology department of Civil Hospital, Karachi.

Methods

A total of 118 admitted patients at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study after informed consent. The study was conducted for six months at the department of neurology, Civil Hospital, Karachi. Patients were assessed for autonomic dysfunction by recording blood pressures and pulse rate hourly (both lying and standing positions) by resident doctors. Urinary retention, diarrhea, and constipation were also recorded in a separate chart. All values entered in the pre-approved performa by researchers. The data was collected and analyzed on Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistics included mean, standard deviation (SD) of continuous data, like age, duration of illness, motor weakness assessment by Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale, protein content in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), pulse, and blood pressure at the time of presentation. Frequencies and percentages were calculated from the categorical data, like gender and patients with autonomic dysfunction (outcome variable). Effect modifiers were controlled by stratification of age, gender, duration of illness. Post-stratification chi-square test was applied with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 taken as significant.

Results

In our study, the average age of the patients was 39.90±9.91 years. Frequency of autonomic dysfunction among patients with GBS was 41.53% (49/118). The most frequent autonomic manifestations were constipation and diarrhea; 22% and 21.2% respectively. Additional manifestations included urinary retention (15.3%) and fluctuation of blood pressure and heart rate at 13.6% each. 

Conclusion

This study showed that the frequency of autonomic dysfunction among patients of Guillain Barre Syndrome was significant, consistent with previous studies. Our study explored the adverse outcomes of autonomic dysfunction in patients with GBS. This will help physicians increase their understanding of dysautonomia so that effective management plans can be formulated for patients with GBS to prevent adverse outcomes and hence provide better patient care.

The prognostic value of demyelinating electrophysiologic findings and cerebrospinal fluid protein levels in acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

BACKGROUND

Guillain-Barre syndrome is an acute immune-mediated polyneuropathy characterized by rapidly evolving symptoms and disability. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and electrophysiological studies are crucial in the diagnosis of this syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognostic value of the type and number of demyelinating findings and cerebrospinal fluid protein levels in patients with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed electrophysiological data and cerebrospinal fluid of 67 consecutive patients with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy from Istanbul, Turkey (2011-2019) studied ≤ 24 hours post-onset.

RESULTS

The patients who met a higher number of demyelinating criteria had increased disability scores in the first day and first month, and higher cerebrospinal fluid protein levels were correlated with worse prognosis both on the first day and the first month. However, the disability scores did not correlate with any single specific criterion, and no significant correlation was found between the number of satisfied criteria and cerebrospinal fluid protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of demyelinating criteria that are met and high cerebrospinal fluid protein levels at the disease onset may be valuable prognostic markers. More systematic studies conducted with serial nerve conduction studies are required to highlight the roles of the suggested criteria in clinical practice.

Electrophysiological subtypes and associated prognosis factors of Mexican adults diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a single center experience

BACKGROUND

The clinical characteristics of electrophysiological subtypes and prognostic factors of Mexican adults diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) have not been described.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single center, ambispective, cohort study was performed (2015-2019). GBS was defined following the Asbury and Cornblath criteria. Electrodiagnosis was made according to Hadden criteria. Clinical, biochemical and electrodiagnostic parameters were described, compared and analyzed using a multivariate model. Only patients who completed a 3-month follow-up were included.

RESULTS

137 GBS patients (92 males; mean age 46.6 ± 16.6).132 (96.3%) underwent an electrodiagnostic assessment.68 (51.5%) were classified as axonal GBS, with further classified into two groups: acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) 45.4%, and acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) 8,6%. The following characteristics were lower in the AMAN group: Medical Research Counsel sumscore (MRC) 30.1 ± 16.3 vs 36.4 ± 14.4, unilateral facial palsy 10% vs 25.9% and albuminocytologic dissociation 41.3% vs. 71.7%.Multivariate analysis found AMAN as an independent predictor of an unfavorable outcome OR: 3.34 (p = 0.03) CONCLUSIONS: AMAN subtype is the most frequent presentation of GBS in Mexican adult patients and an independent predictor of inability to walk independently at 3 months after discharge.

Risk factors for mechanical ventilation in children with Guillain-Barré syndrome

BACKGROUND

We assessed clinical predictors of mechanical ventilation in children with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) to help identify patients who require mechanical ventilation.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected the clinical, laboratory, and electrophysiological data of 103 children with GBS. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the requirement for mechanical ventilation. Variables that were significantly different between the two groups in univariate analysis were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Time from symptom onset to admission (P = .002), facial or bulbar weakness (P = .001), and axonal type (P = .005) were associated with mechanical ventilation in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, facial or bulbar weakness (odds ratio [OR], 7.936; P = .013) and axonal type (OR, 4.582; P = .022) were independent predictors for mechanical ventilation.

CONCLUSIONS

Facial or bulbar weakness and axonal type were associated with increased risk for mechanical ventilation in children with GBS.

Comparison of the Clinical Outcomes of Guillain Barre Syndrome Based on Electrophysiological Subtypes in Pakistani Children

Objective

Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune-mediated, acute, symmetrical, flaccid paralysis. Guillain Barre syndrome has different electrophysiological types that carry prognostic significance and tend to differ between adults and children. This study aims to compare the clinical outcome of Guillain Barre syndrome in Pakistani children based on their electrophysiological types to help in understanding and predicting the prognosis.

Study design

Observational comparative study

Place & duration

The pediatric department, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad; all patients with Guillain Barre syndrome seen between 2012 and 2019

Method

All children aged one to 16 years in whom Guillain Barre syndrome was diagnosed based on clinical history, examination, and electrophysiological findings. Institutional review board (IRB) approval was taken and data entered on the designed questionnaire. Chi-square and non-parametric tests were applied for significant association.

Results

Twenty-three children were included in the study. Of these, 14 were males (60.9%) while the mean age was 5.8 (+4.5) years. Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) was found to be the predominant type (9; 39.1%) followed by acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) (6; 26.1%), Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) was diagnosed in four (17.4%) patients. Six (26.1%) patients needed mechanical ventilation and 10 patients (43.5%) required intensive care unit (ICU) care. The majority of the patients (18; 78.3%) received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Conclusion

The study highlights varied electrophysiological types of GBS in Pakistani children, which differ in predominance from previous studies. However, various indicators of poor outcomes that are highlighted in adults, including the older age group, need for mechanical ventilation, and electrophysiological evidence of axonal degeneration, were not significant predictors of outcome in children.

Cardiovascular complications and its relationship with functional outcomes in Guillain-Barré syndrome

BACKGROUND

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a monophasic disease characterized by acute polyradiculoneuropathy.

AIM

This study investigated cardiovascular complications in patients with GBS and their relationship with outcomes.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We included 96 patients, who were diagnosed with GBS according to Brighton case definitions. All enrolled patients were evaluated according to a predetermined algorithm, which included nerve conduction studies, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, electrocardiography, 2D echo, cardiac markers and autonomic function testing.

RESULTS

We enrolled a total of 96 patients. The mean age of patients was 35.75 ± 17.66 years. Furthermore, 54.2% of patients developed cardiovascular complications, of which changes in electrocardiography (ECG) findings (50%), hypertension (28.12%), labile hypertension (12.5), tachycardia (26.04), bradycardia (13.54%) and a fluctuating heart rate (HR) (11.46) were common. Other cardiovascular complications seen in GBS patients were increased pro-BNP (26.04%), raised troponin T levels (3.12%), acute coronary syndrome (2.08%), heart failure (2.08%) and abnormal 2D echo findings (8.33%). The results of the univariate analysis revealed that a history of preceding infection, a Medical Research Council sum score, neck muscle weakness, facial nerve involvement, bulbar involvement, respiratory failure, cardiovascular complications, autonomic dysfunction, acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy subtype and baseline Hughes score were significantly (P < 0.005) associated with poor outcomes. However, none of these factors were found to be independently associated with poor outcomes in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

A considerable number of patients with GBS developed cardiovascular complications and it needs attention.

Early predictors of functional disability in Guillain-Barré Syndrome

This study investigated the predictors of prognosis at admission and after the first month in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) patients. This retrospective study used the electronic records of 81 GBS patients. Age, gender, previous GBS history, antecedent febrile illness and presence of cranial nerve dysfunction were recorded. Detailed neurological examinations, routine biochemical and haematological investigations, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and electrophysiological studies, GBS subtypes and treatments were assessed. Hughes disability scores (HDSs) were evaluated at the end of the first day and first month. The GBS patient group included 44 male (54.3%) and 37 female (45.7%) patients. The mean age was 52.2 ± 18.5. The mean HDS score was 2.96 at admission and 1.94 at the end of the first month. Plasma sodium, albumin, and CSF protein levels were significantly correlated with low admission HDS scores (p = 0.03, p  = 0.011, p  = 0.036, and p  < 0.001, respectively). Age, plasma sodium, albumin, neutrophil, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) and CSF protein levels were significantly correlated with poor prognosis at the end of the first month (p < 0.05). Concomitant cranial nerve palsies were significantly correlated with low HDS scores (p = 0.011, p = 0.02) but antecedent events were not correlated with functional disability (p = 0.686, p = 0.413). Decreased albumin and sodium levels and increased CSF protein levels indicated poor GBS prognosis. Higher age, elevated NLR, and higher CRP levels indicated worse prognosis at the end of the first month. However, further studies are needed.

The utility of Guillain-Barré syndrome prognostic models in Malaysian patients

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated neuropathy that has variable disease course and outcome. The Erasmus GBS outcome score (EGOS), modified EGOS (mEGOS), and Erasmus GBS respiratory insufficiency score (EGRIS) are prognostic models designed to predict the functional outcome of GBS patients at 6 months (EGOS and mEGOS) and the need for mechanical ventilation within a week of admission (EGRIS). The models were primarily developed in the Dutch GBS population, and thus the usefulness of these models in other GBS cohorts is less clear. In the current study, we aimed to validate mEGOS, EGOS, and EGRIS in Malaysian GBS patients. A total of 107 patients with GBS and its variants were consecutively recruited. Patients with GBS and Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) were analysed separately. In the GBS cohort, high mEGOS and EGOS scores were significantly correlated with poor outcome at 6 months (mEGOS on admission: r = .381, P = .005; mEGOS at day 7 of admission: r = .507, P < .001; EGOS: r = .484, P < .001). However, there were no significant correlations between mEGOS or EGOS and outcome in patients with MFS (mEGOS on admission: r = .152, P = .523; mEGOS at day 7 of admission: r = .008, P = .973; EGOS: r = .110; P = .644). The score of EGRIS for GBS patients with mechanical ventilation was significantly higher than those patients without mechanical ventilation (4 ± 2 vs 3 ± 1; P < .001). We conclude that mEGOS and EGOS are clinically useful and relevant to the Malaysian GBS population but not in patients with classic MFS. EGRIS could be used to predict the need for mechanical ventilation in our local GBS patients.

Predictors of respiratory failure in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature regarding the ability of clinical features to predict respiratory failure in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

DATA SOURCES

We searched the PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE databases with the search terms "guillain barre syndrome" OR "acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy" OR "acute motor axonal neuropathy" OR "acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy" AND "respiratory failure" OR "mechanical ventilation". We excluded articles that did not report the results of original research (eg, review articles, letters), were case reports or series (ten or fewer patients), were not available in English, reported research in paediatric populations (16 years of age or younger), or were interventional studies. Article quality was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Thirty-four relevant studies were identified. Short time from symptom onset to hospital admission (less than 7 days), bulbar (odds ratio [OR], 9.0; 95% CI, 3.94-20.6; P < 0.001) or neck weakness (OR, 6.36; 95% CI, 2.32-17.5; P < 0.001), and severe muscle weakness at hospital admission were associated with increased risk of intubation. Facial weakness (OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 2.05-6.81; P < 0.001) and autonomic instability (OR, 6.40; 95% CI, 2.83-14.5; P < 0.001) were significantly more frequent in patients requiring intubation in our meta-analyses; however, the differences were not statistically significant in individual multivariable analysis studies. Four predictive models have been developed to assess the risk of respiratory failure for patients with GBS, each with good to excellent discriminative power (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.79-0.96).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Early identification of GBS patients at risk of respiratory failure could reduce the rates of adverse outcomes associated with delayed intubation. Algorithms that predict a patient's risk of subsequent respiratory failure at hospital admission appear more reliable than individual clinical variables.

Motor Nerve Conduction Block Predicting Outcome of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Introduction: Motor nerve conduction blocks (CBs) could be detected in both acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN). We aimed to identify the correlation between CBs and functional outcome in the two subtypes of GBS. Methods: Motor nerve conduction studies were performed in 17 patients with AIDP and 23 with AMAN. All patients were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, and their disabilities were evaluated with Hughes functional grading scale before treatment, 1 month and 6 months after onset. Results: AMAN with CBs had higher reduction of Hughes grade (indicating more improved outcomes) at 1 month (1.71 ± 0.83 vs. 1 ± 0.67, p = 0.034) than AIDP with CBs. AMAN with CBs had higher reduction of Hughes grade at 1 month (1.71 ± 0.83 vs. 0.56 ± 0.73, p = 0.002) than AMAN without CBs. The reduction of Hughes grade at 1 month showed no significant difference between AIDP with and without CBs. Discussion: Motor nerve CBs in AMAN indicated better prognosis than in AIDP.

High mortality from Guillain-Barré syndrome in Bangladesh

Although Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has higher incidence and poor outcome in Bangladesh, mortality from GBS in Bangladesh has never been explored before. We sought to explore the frequency, timing, and risk factors for deaths from GBS in Bangladesh. We conducted a prospective study on 407 GBS patients who were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from 2010 to 2013. We compared deceased and alive patients to identify risk factors. Cox regression model was used to adjust for confounders. Of the 407 GBS patients, 50 (12%) died, with the median time interval between the onset of weakness and death of 18 days. Among the fatal cases, 24 (48%) were ≥40 years, 36 (72%) had a Medical Research Council sum score ≤20 at entry, 33 (66%) had a progressive phase <8 days, and 27 (54%) required ventilation support. Ten patients (20%) died due to unavailability of ventilator. The strongest risk factor for deaths was lack of ventilator support when it was required (HR: 11.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.6-30.7). Other risk factors for death included age ≥40 years (HR: 5.9; 95% CI: 2.1-16.7), mechanical ventilation (HR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.02-5.2), longer progressive phase (>8 days) (HR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.1-3.8), autonomic dysfunction (HR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.05-3.6), and bulbar nerve involvement (HR: 5.4; 95% CI: 1.5-19.2). In Bangladesh, GBS is associated with higher mortality rates, which is related to lack of ventilator support, disease severity, longer progressive phase of the disease, autonomic dysfunction, and involvement of the bulbar nerves.

A rating scale for the severity of Guillain-Barré syndrome

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to develop a rating scale to assess the severity of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

METHODS

The preliminary rating scale, which contained 11 items, was developed by the Delphi method, and data of 258 patients were collected to evaluate it. Item analysis was accomplished by 100 patients; the additional 158 patients were used to evaluate the reliability, validity, and discriminative ability of the rating scale. The structure of the rating scale was testified by the confirmatory factor analysis and also made a further evaluation by the correlation analysis.

RESULTS

The rating scale contained 10 items. The three factors mainly generalized the motor function, cranial nerve function and autonomic function. The results of reliability and validity showed that the structure of the rating scale was good (χ² =68.25, df=32, χ² /df=2.13, normed fit index (NFI)=0.919, non-normed fit index (NNFI)=0.936, comparative fit index (CFI)=0.96, a root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)=0.085), and the Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was .852, with the three dimensions ranging from .585 to .752.

CONCLUSION

Reliability and validity of the rating scale are all satisfied. The scale contained the main clinical presentations of GBS, and it is suitable to evaluate the severity of GBS.

The usefulness of chief complaints to predict severity, ventilator dependence, treatment option, and short-term outcome of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome: a retrospective study

Background

It remains an urgent need for early recognition of disease severity, treatment option and outcome of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The chief complaint may be quickly obtained in clinic and is one of the candidates for early predictors. However, studies on the chief complaint are still lacking in GBS. The aim of the study is to describe the components of chief complaints of GBS patients, and to explore association between chief complaints and disease severity/treatment option/outcome of GBS, so as to aid the early prediction of the disease course and to assist the clinicians to prescribe an optimal early treatment.

Methods

A total of 523 GBS patients admitted to the First Hospital of Jilin University from 2003 to 2013 were enrolled for retrospective analysis. The data of chief complaints, clinical manifestations, and treatment options, etc. were collected. The clinical severity was evaluated by the Medical Research Council sum score and the Hughes Functional Grading Scale. The prognosis at 6 month after discharge was described by modified Erasmus GBS outcome score. The clinic GBS severity evaluation scale (CGSES), a newly established model in our study, was used to explore the role of chief complaints to predict intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg).

Results

The major components of the chief complaints of GBS patients were weakness, numbness, pain, cranial nerve involvement, dyspnea, ataxia and autonomic dysfunction. Chief complaint of weakness was a predictor of severe disease course and poor short-term outcome, while chief complaint of numbness and cranial nerve involvement were promising predictors. Cranial nerve involvement was the predictor of ventilator dependence. The percentages of 366 GBS patients, who need IVIg treatment at nadir with CGSES ranging from 1 to 4, were 50.00, 67.34, 80.61, and 90.67%, respectively.

Conclusions

Chief complaints are clinic predictors of disease severity, ventilator dependence and short-term outcome. IVIg treatment during hospitalisation could be predicted in clinic using CGSES score.

Long-term prognosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome not determined by treatment options?

Background

The long-term follow-up system for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is not well established worldwide. In our study, the preliminary data of the long-term prognosis of GBS are collected to explore the prognosis of GBS and the effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment.

Methods

The follow-up data of 186 patients with GBS admitted from 2003 to 2013 were collected in 2015 via phone interview. The GBS disability scale score was ranked by clinician to evaluate the long-term prognosis. The clinical data during the acute phase were also collected.

Results

The mortality rates were 2.15%, 5.45% and 7.89% at discharge, 2-5 years and 6-10 years after disease, respectively. The GBS disability scale score improved dramatically from discharge to 2-12 years after the acute phase. The self-limitation, the spontaneous recovery of disease, occurred both at acute phase and 2-5 years after discharge. Comparisons between IVIg-treated patients and GBS patients who only received supportive care revealed no significant difference of long-term prognosis.

Conclusion

The long-term prognosis of GBS appears not to be influenced by treatment options. The long-term improvement of IVIg treated-patients might be due to the self-limitation of GBS per se instead of the IVIg treatment.

Predictive factors for achieving independent walking in children with Guillain-Barre syndrome

BackgroundTo determine the predictors of achieving independent walking at 2 and 6 months after onset of weakness in children with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS).MethodsChildren with GBS admitted to the Tabriz Children's Hospital were studied prospectively. All patients had frequent clinical evaluations until achieving independent walking. Unaided walking at 2 and 6 months and factors influencing these outcomes were determined using both univariate and multiple analyses.ResultsBetween 2003 and 2014, 324 children (mean age: 5.3±3.66 years) were admitted. The mean duration to independent walking was 2.97±3.02 months; 90.5% of patients could walk independently at 6 months. In the univariate analysis, disability score of >3 (P=0.03), autonomic nerve involvement (P=0.003), cranial nerve involvement (P=0.008), and absent compound muscle action potential (CMAP; P=0.048) were found to be significantly associated with poor walking outcome at 6 months. In the multivariate analysis, cranial nerve involvement (P=0.008) and absence of CMAP (P=0.022) were independently associated with poor functional outcome.ConclusionDisability score >3, cranial and autonomic nerve involvement, and absence of CMAP were predictors of independent walking in childhood GBS in this study; early rehabilitation program may prevent further impairments secondary to immobility in these patients.

Cerebrospinal fluid findings in Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies

The classic immunologic alteration of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), albuminocytologic dissociation, has been known since the original paper by Guillain, Barré, and Strohl. Albuminocytologic dissociation has been also described in other forms of the GBS spectrum, such as axonal motor or motor-sensory forms (AMAN, AMSAN), the anti-GQ1b spectrum of Miller Fisher syndrome, and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis. Cytokines, chemokines, antibodies, complement components, and molecules with a putative neuroprotective role or indicating axonal damage have also been examined using different methods. Besides these candidate approaches, proteomics has been recently applied to discover potential biomarkers. The overall results support the immunopathogenesis of GBS, but albuminocytologic dissociation remained the only consistent CSF biomarker supporting the diagnosis of GBS. Chronic inflammatory neuropathies also comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases. Increased protein in the CSF is a supportive factor of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, especially in the absence of definite electrophysiologic criteria. A number of other markers have also been investigated in the CSF of patients with chronic inflammatory neuropathies, similar to GBS. However, none has been used in supporting diagnosis, differentiating among syndromes, or predicting the clinical course and treatment responses.

Outcome of Guillain - Barré Syndrome in Children: A prospective cohort study in a tertiary hospital in Upper Egypt

INTRODUCTION

Guillain-Barré syndrome is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children, and defined as an acute inflammatory polyneuropathy. The objective of this study was to assess the clinico-laboratory profile, and outcome of Guillain-Barré syndrome in children at Sohag University Hospital.

METHODS

This prospective cohort observational study was conducted in 2014-2015. The included children were subjected to through medical history and detailed systemic and neurological examination. Nerve conduction studies and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were done for all patients. Follow up was done at three and six months both clinically and by nerve conduction studies.

RESULTS

This study included 50 patients (27 males/23 females) with median age of 2.92 years. Upper respiratory tract infections were the most common antecedent infections (50%) and the neurological findings were weakness of both lower limbs and pain in all patients (100%) followed by sphincteric dysfunction (26%) while cranial neuropathies were found in 4%. Nerve conduction study revealed that acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy was found in 52% of cases, acute motor axonal neuropathy in 36% of cases, whereas acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy was found in 6% of cases. The outcome was good in about 78% of cases, Hughes motor scale revealed that 58% were healthy, 18% had minor signs or symptoms, 12% walked without support, 6% walked with support, and 6% were bed ridden.

CONCLUSION

The outcome was favorable, although a minority of patients suffered neurological deficit. Immediate administration of intravenous immunoglobulin reduced mortality and disability.