The clinical profile and symptomatology of Guillain-Barre Syndrome: a retrospective analysis

Background : The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical profile, factors associated with mortality, and hospital outcomes of adult patients diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in the ED and to identify the factors involved in early diagnosis. Methods : This retrospective study reviewed patients diagnosed with GBS in the ED between 2015 and 2023. GBS prognostic scoring systems were utilized, including the Medical Research Council (MRC) score at admission and discharge, the Hughes Functional Rating Scale (HFGS) for functional disability, and the modified Erasmus GBS outcome score (mEGOS). Results : The study included 98 patients. Significant differences in mEGOS, MRC, HFGS, and discharge MRC scores were observed between the living and deceased patient groups. Based on Brighton diagnostic criteria, 54.1% (n = 53) of patients were classified as level 2, 30.6% (n = 30) as level 3, and 15.3% (n = 15) as level 1. Biomarkers analysis showed significantly higher glucose, urea, neutrophil count, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) values (p = 0.034, p = 0.042, p = 0.014, p = 0.037, respectively) and significantly lower albumin levels (p = 0.002) in deceased patients compared to survivors. Conclusion : Neutrophil count, NLR, glucose, urea, and albumin levels, alongside scoring systems such as mEGOS, MRC, and HFGS, may be effective in determining prognosis when applied at initial presentation.