Guillain Barre Syndrome and Neoplastic Disease (P06.147)

Abstract

Objective: To describe the clinical findings, demographic characteristics, progression and prognosis between GBS patients with and without associated neoplastic disease. Background Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy that often develops after infection or vaccination. The association with cancer is uncommon but GBS can occur in patients with lymphomas and various kinds of solid tumors. Design/Methods: Electronic search was conducted of patients admitted with diagnosis of GBS, at the Italian Hospital in Buenos Aires (HIBA), between January 2000 and June 2011. We analyzed demographic, clinical and electrophysiological characteristics in GBS patients with and without neoplastic disease.To assess disability, Hughes scale and Overall Disability Sum Scale (ODSS) were used. Results: We identified 36 patients with GBS of which 11 (30.5%) were diagnosed with neoplastic disease (GBSn). In 3 patients, GBS was simultaneous with the diagnosis of cancer and 8 appeared later. The most represented neoplastic was lung cancer.(n= 3). 82% of the GBSn cases had no prior infectious or vaccinal clinical event compared with GBS without association to neoplastic disease (p0.001). The mean age was higher in the SGBn group (66 vs. 47, p =0.002) and had a higher ODSS in three months (3.5 vs. 1.39, p = 0.04). The average in Hughes scale was 3 in GBSn group (p = ns). The electrophysiological studies showed a demyelinating pattern in 73% of our GBS patients. There was no difference in gender, severity onset, CSF and electrophysiological pattern, Mechanical Ventilatory assistance and death rates between the two groups. Conclusions: Patients with GBS associated with neoplastic disease (SGBn) showed a reduced occurrence of prior infectious or vaccinal event, older age, and greater disability at 3 months compared with SGB group without cancer. Disclosure: Dr. Bettini has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bisonni has nothing to disclose. Dr. Toral has nothing to disclose. Dr. Miguez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rugiero has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cristiano has nothing to disclose.