Clinical predictors for mechanical ventilation and prognosis in patients with Guillian-Barre syndrome: a 10-year experience

INTRODUCTION

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a common cause of flaccid paralysis. Up to a third of cases result in respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation.

AIM

We aim to study the possible predictors of respiratory compromise requiring mechanical ventilation in cases of GBS as well as their clinical outcome in the UAE population.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective observational study was conducted between the periods of January 2009 till January 2019 in a tertiary center in Dubai. Cases were grouped according to their need for mechanical ventilation then compared for possible predicting factors. Up to 1-year follow-up was done to assess the clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Out of the 82 cases that were included in the study, 64 (78%) were males with a mean age at presentation being 37 ± 14.4. Most of the cases presented with disability score of 4 (n= 33, 40.2%), being bed bound or wheelchair bound. Twenty cases (24.4%) required mechanical ventilation at presentation. Axonal type of nerve injury was present in 11 (55%) patients requiring intubation, in contrast to 17 (27.4%) patients not requiring intubation. Cases that required mechanical ventilation were older (P .028). They also had a reduced rate of recovery after 1 month (P .004), and more residual deficit at 6 months (P .003) and 12 months (P <.001). This also translated in a longer duration of hospital stay (<.001).

CONCLUSION

Older age at presentation is a major predictor for the need of mechanical ventilation in GBS. This need for mechanical ventilation is associated with longer hospital stay as well as reduced rate of recovery up to 1 year after the onset of presentation.