Outcome of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Tertiary Care Centers in Thailand.

BACKGROUND

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a common acute polyneuropathy, is seen worldwide with significant morbidity and mortality. GBS consists of a number of subtypes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to identify clinical characteristics, electrophysiologic changes, clinical course, treatment, and outcome of GBS in Thailand.

METHODS

Retrospective study of GBS patients aged 15 years or older, admitted to Thammasat University Hospital and Bangkok Hospital Medical Center between January 1, 2009 and November 30, 2014.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were found. Demographic characteristics were collected and described as follows; 60% male sex; average age 54 years; Asian 60%, European 20%, and others 10%. Disease subtypes consist of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy 66.7%, acute motor axonal neuropathy 10%, and others 23.3%. Average GBS disability score at admission was 2.9. Immunotherapy was intravenous immunoglobulin 83.3%, plasma exchange 3.3%, and steroid 3.3%. Average length of stay was 14.2 days; assisted ventilation rate was 13.3%. After the average of 1-year follow-up, average GBS disability score was 1.8, good outcome (score <3) was 63.3% and no death.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that most GBS patients in Thailand are acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) subtype and have a good outcome. Predictors of severe disability are older age, previous diarrhea, autonomic disturbances, severe limb or bulbar weakness at admission, or onset of treatment.