Neurologic sequelae of Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults

Secuelas neurológicas del síndrome de Guillain-Barré en pacientes adultos

Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated demyelinating polyneuropathy. The main symptom encountered is muscle weakness. This study seeks to describe the characteristics of an acute episode, the long- term neurologic sequelae and how they affect patients´ work and leisure activities. Materials and Methods: a two-phase study comprising a retrospective case description in the first phase followed by a cross sectional study during the second phase in which patients were asked to describe their neurologic sequelae and how they affected them Results: we identified 63 cases of GBS, mean age was 50.79 years (SD 17.8), there was a male preponderance (61.9%) with a 3.2 (SD ± 10.1) average score on the Hughes scale during the acute episode. Major complications during the acute phase were pneumonia (7.94 %) and pressure sores (3.17 %). Phone contact was achieved with 28 patients, 82.1% presented at least one sequelae 60.7% paresthesia, 57.1% fatigue, 50% cramps and 46.4% neuropathic pain. In 32.1% of cases patients´ work was adjusted or they were removed from work because of their sequelae; 21.43% had to modify their free-time activities. Conclusion: there is a high prevalence of disabling residual symptoms after a GBS acute episode predominantly sensory signs, which coincide with the results of studies conducted in developed countries. Said alterations negatively impact patients´ work and leisure activities.