Clinico-electrophysiological findings and prognosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome - 10 years’ experience

Abstract

Demographic, clinical and electrophysiological findings of our GBS cases were highly similar to those of the previous reports. Two of our cases were presented with preceding tuberculosis infection, which was not reported before in the literature.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Related Disorders

“…An earlier study reported that at 1-year follow-up, 62 % had recovered completely, 14 % could walk but not run, 9 % could not walk without assistance, 4 % remained bedbound or ventilated, and 8 % died [ 190 ] . In a more recent study, full recovery or minor de fi cits were observed in 41 % of patients in the fi rst month, 71 % in the third month, 86 % in the sixth month, and 92 % by the fi rst year [ 184 ] .…”

“…Three-quarters of patients reach a nadir by 1 week and virtually all (98 %) do so by 4 weeks (Fig. 28.5 ) [ 77,[184][185][186] . Approximately 15 % of patients have a mild condition, remain ambulatory, and recover after a few weeks.…”

“…Miller Fisher syndrome accounts for approximately 5 % of GBS cases in North America and Europe but may represent as high as 20-25 % of GBS patients in Eastern Asia [ 201,202 ] . In some patients, the illness progresses to generalized GBS that overtakes the other features [ 184,203 ] . Diplopia is usually the fi rst symptom, followed by limb or gait ataxia that appears within days.…”

“…Facial weakness and respiratory failure also may occur, thus simulating a disorder of neuromuscular transmission. Curiously, ptosis is almost universal, further emulating myasthenia gravis [ 143,184 ] . Ophthalmoparesis is rare.…”

“…An acute autonomic neuropathy is thought to be another rare variant of GBS [ 184,228,229 ] . Gastrointestinal symptoms are commonly the initial features, namely, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea, all following a viral syndrome.…”