Residual disability 10 years after falling ill in Guillain-Barré syndrome: a prospective follow-up study

To describe residual disability 10years after onset of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and longitudinal changes from 2weeks after onset until 10years afterwards. The Erasmus GBS Outcome score (EGOS) was applied for predicting prognosis at 2 and 10years.

Twenty-nine patients, mean age at onset 49years, were followed prospectively from 2weeks to 10years after GBS onset. Measures included; GBS disability score, EGOS, Barthel Index, Frenchay Activity Index, Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale (ONLS), Walk-12, and Fatigue Severity Scale.

At 10years, the facial paralysis found in 5 participants at 2years was still present, 11 participants (38%) experienced paresthesia, 6 (21%) had limitations in their arms, and 15 (52%) had limitations in walking. Decreased health-related quality of life on comparison to the general population was seen in the physical dimension of SIP at 10years. The median EGOS at 2weeks was 4.5, which correlated highly only with the Barthel Index at 2years and the ONLS arm scale at 10years.

The residual disabilities at 1-2years comprised mainly of reduced walking ability, and are still persistent 10years after GBS onset. For some individuals, facial paralysis caused major disability. The EGOS only partly predicted residual disability at 2 and 10years after onset.