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Diabetes associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome.
1Diabetes Research Laboratories, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, UK.
Diabetes Research (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Transient diabetes, a metabolic complication, can occur during Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). This study suggests insulin resistance is the primary cause of impaired glucose tolerance in GBS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Complications
Background:
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory polyradiculopathy.
- Metabolic complications of GBS are not well-recognized.
- Transient diabetes has not been previously associated with GBS.
Observation:
- Four patients developed transient diabetes during the paralytic phase of GBS.
- One patient presented with hyperinsulinemia but normal glucose levels.
- Mean cerebrospinal fluid protein was elevated at 1.6 g/l.
Findings:
- Two patients required short-term insulin therapy.
- Intravenous glucose tolerance tests indicated insulin resistance in one patient with increased BMI.
- Elevated fasting glucose and similar glucose response in IVGTT suggest impaired glucose tolerance in GBS.
Implications:
- Insulin resistance is hypothesized as the dominant feature of impaired glucose tolerance in GBS.
- This finding highlights a previously unrecognized metabolic complication of GBS.
- Further research into GBS-associated metabolic disturbances is warranted.