Guillain–Barré syndrome in north-western India: Demographic, clinical, electrophysiological profile and assessment of prognostic factors

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To study demographic, clinical, electrophysiological characteristics, prevalent subtypes and factors associated with outcome of Guillain–Barre syndrome in north-western region of India. Material and methods It was a hospital-based prospective observational study. 60 patients with Guillain–Barre syndrome diagnosed as per Asbury and Cornblath criteria were enrolled and followed up for 3 months. Various epidemiological, clinical and electrophysiological parameters were evaluated. Result Most common variant in our study was acute motor axonal neuropathy (41.6%) while the most common age group was 15–29 years. There was history of antecedent event in 22 patients (37%) and sensory deficit in 31.7% (proprioceptive > exteroceptive). Cranial nerve involvement was seen in 40% (facial > bulbar > ophthalmoplegia) and autonomic dysfunction in 11.7%. Respiratory involvement was seen in 22 patients (36.7%). Nerve conduction abnormalities were observed in 96% of the cases. Sural sparing was found in 15% of cases at admission predominantly in acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and F-wave abnormality (prolonged/delayed) in 72% of patients at admission which was most frequently seen in peroneal nerve. Severity at admission (high GBS disability score), need for ventilation, high modified Erasmus GBS outcome score were associated significantly ( p -value 55 years) and axonal lesion were non-significantly ( p -value >0.05) with poor outcome.