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INTRODUCTION: The spectrum of various complications in critically ill Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and its effect on the prognosis is lacking in literature. This study aimed at enumerating the complications in such a cohort and their significance in the prognosis and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective case record analysis of all consecutive mechanically ventilated patients of GBS in neurology Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a tertiary care institute for 10 years was done. Demographic, laboratory, and treatment details and outcome parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Among the 173 patients were 118 men and 55 women (2.1:1), aged 1-84 years. The average number of ICU complications per patient was 6.8 ± 1.8 (median = 7, range = 1-12). The most common complication was tracheobronchitis (128). Other pulmonary complications were found in 36 patients. The next was metabolic hyponatremia (115) hypokalemia (67), hypocalcemia (13), stress hyperglycemia (10), hyperkalemia (8), hypernatremia (9). Sepsis (40), UTI (47), dysautonomia (27), hypoalbuminemia (76), anemia (75), seizures (8), paralytic ileus (5), bleeding (4), anoxic encephalopathy (3), organ failures (12), deep vein thrombosis (7), and drug rashes (1) were also noted. The complications, considered significant in causing death, Hughes scale ≤ 3 at discharge, prolonged mechanical ventilation (>21 days) and hospitalization (>36 days) were pneumonia, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, urinary infection, tracheobronchial infections, hypoalbuminemia, sepsis, anemia dysautonomia. CONCLUSION: Active monitoring and appropriate and early intervention by the clinician will improve the quality of life of these patients and reduce the cost of prolonged mechanical ventilation and ICU stay.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Severe Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is associated with significant morbidity and also mortality. Identification of modifiable risk factors may help in reducing the morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To study the prognostic factors in a selected cohort of mechanically ventilated GBS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case records of GBS patients requiring mechanical ventilation admitted between 1997 and 2007 were analyzed. All patients satisfied the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (NINCDS) criteria for GBS. Primary outcome parameters included mortality and GBS disability (Hughes) scale score at discharge. RESULTS: During the study period, 173 (118 men and 55 women; mean age of 33.5 ± 21 years) GBS patients were mechanically ventilated. A history of antecedent events was present in 83 (48%) patients. In addition to motor weakness, In all facial palsy was present in 106 (61%), bulbar palsy in 91 (53%), sensory involvement in 74 (43%), and symptomatic autonomic dysfunction in 27 (16%). The overall mortality was 10.4%. On univariate analysis the risk factors for mortality included elderly age (P = 0.014), autonomic dysfunction (P = 0.002), pulmonary complications (P = 0.011), hypokalemia (P = 0.011), and bleeding (P = 0.026). All these factors were significant in multivariate analysis except for bleeding from any site and hypokalemia. In univariate analysis factors associated with Hughes scale score ≤ 3 at discharge included younger age (P = 0.02), presence of bulbar symptoms (P = 0.03) and less severe weakness at admission (P = 0.02), slower evolution of disease over more than 3 days (P = 0.01), electrodiagnostic evidence of demyelinating neuropathy (P = 0.00), and absence of sepsis (P = 0.01), hyperkalemia (P = 0.0001), and anemia (P = 0.02). In multivariate analysis age was the only significant factor. CONCLUSIONS: Early identification of modifiable risk factors, such as pulmonary involvement, autonomic dysfunction, hypokalemia, sepsis, bleeding, and nutritional complications, may reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with GBS.
