Outcome and Quality of Life in Guillain–Barré Syndrome in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Background Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune‐mediated polyradiculoneuropathy with an annual incidence of 0.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in Brazil. Clinical manifestations range from mild weakness to tetraplegia with respiratory failure. Objective To analyze the impact on the quality of life of adult patients diagnosed with GBS in the short and medium term. Methods This regional descriptive, cross‐sectional study included 46 hospitalized patients with confirmed GBS. Functional status was measured using the overall disability sum score (ODSS), and quality of life was evaluated with the WHOQOL‐BREF instrument. Results During the study period, 57 patients were diagnosed with GBS; 11 met exclusion criteria, and 5 died, yielding a mortality rate of 8.7%. All deceased patients were older than 55 years (mean 59,6 p = 00, 008) and presented with respiratory failure. Higher Hughes scores at admission (mean 3.8 vs. 2.75; p = 0.039) and longer duration of antecedent symptoms (24.33 vs. 14.80 days; p = 0.036)were significantly associated with mortality. Moderate/high‐risk mEGOS scores were present in 80% of deceased patients (p = 0.008). Quality of life perceptions improved most between 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis, while functional recovery (ODSS) was observed after 12 months. Conclusion Higher admission neurological disability was associated with greater functional impairment in this cohort, while quality of life improved during follow‐up and functional recovery continued beyond 12 months. Higher Hughes scores and moderate‐to‐high mEGOS risk were associated with mortality in univariable analyses, but the small number of deaths and absence of multivariable adjustment preclude conclusions regarding independent prognostic effects. Extended follow‐up is important to capture the gradual trajectory of functional and psychosocial recovery in GBS.