Prognostic analysis of acute motor axonal neuropathy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical features of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and clarify the long-term prognosis of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN). Methods We conducted an analysis of the clinical data of 50 patients with GBS treated in our hospital between 2003 and 2007. According to the eleetrophysiological criteria, the eases were classified into AIDP (n=24) and AMAN eases (n=22), with 4 eases of unknown classification. The patients unable to walk upon discharge were followed up for more than 6 months, and the clinical features and prognosis of the two groups were compared. Results The age, gender, cranial nerve involvement, Hughes grade at the initial neurological examination and at the time of symptom peak did not differ significantly between the patients with AIDP and AMAN (P>0.05), and most of the AMAN patients had a good recovery. The number of patients capable of walking at one month after the onset was comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). In AMAN group, the percentages of patients with slow recovery and those having rapid recovery were significantly higher than those in AIDP group (P<0.05). Conclusion The clinical recovery of AMAN patients can be either rapid or prolonged, and rigorous immunotherapy should be administered to achieve early recovery and ensure more favorable outcomes of the patients. Key words: Guillain-Barre syndrome; Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; Acute motoraxonal neuropathy