Guillain-Barré syndrome: natural history and prognostic factors: a retrospective review of 106 cases

• Published in: BMC neurology Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 95
• Main Authors: González-Suárez, Inés, Sanz-Gallego, Irene, Rodríguez de Rivera, Francisco Javier, Arpa, Javier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central 22-07-2013; BioMed Central Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Axons; Cytomegalovirus; Female; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - physiopathology; Hospitals; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuromuscular diseases; Respiration, Artificial - methods; Respiratory Insufficiency; Retrospective Studies; Studies; Variables; Ventilation; Young Adult; Spain
• ISSN: 1471-2377; 1471-2377
• DOI: 10.1186/1471-2377-13-95

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is characterized by acute onset and progressive course, and is usually associated with a good prognosis. However, there are forms of poor prognosis, needing ventilatory support and major deficits at discharge. With this study we try to identify the factors associated with a worse outcome.
106 cases of GBS admitted in our hospital between years 2000-2010 were reviewed. Epidemiological, clinical, therapeutical and evolutionary data were collected.
At admission 45% had severe deficits, percentage which improves throughout the evolution of the illness, with full recovery or minor deficits in the 87% of patients at the first year review. Ages greater than 55 years, severity at admission (p < 0.001), injured cranial nerves (p = 0.008) and the needing of ventilator support (p = 0.003) were associated with greater sequels at the discharge and at the posterior reviews in the following months. 17% required mechanical ventilation (MV). Values < 250 L/min in the Peak Flow-test are associated with an increased likelihood of requiring MV (p < 0.001).
Older age, severe deficits at onset, injured cranial nerves, requiring MV, and axonal lesion patterns in the NCS were demonstrated as poor prognostic factors. Peak Flow-test is a useful predictive factor of respiratory failure by its easy management.