Responsiveness of 2 Different Ability Outcome Measures in Guillain-Barré Syndrome

The most frequently used ability outcome measure in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the GBS disability scale (GDS). Recently developed inflammatory Rasch-built overall disability (I-RODS) scale has been suggested to be used in inflammatory polyneuropathies. In the present study, we wanted to assess the comparative responsiveness of I-RODS and GDS in subjects who were diagnosed with GBS during a follow-up period of 6 months.

Our prospective, multicentric study included 72 subjects. Patients were tested, using GDS and I-RODS, on day 14, day 28, month 3, and month 6 from the start of the symptoms. We defined improvement as a reduction for 1 or more points on GDS or improvement on I-RODS as defined by Draak (2014).

Between days 14 and 28 there was an improvement in 28% of patients as measured with GDS and only in 10% patients as measured with I-RODS. At month 3 compared with day 14, we noticed an improvement in GDS score in 90% of GBS patients and I-RODS score in 65%. At month 6 improvements were noticed in 94% of patients measured by GDS and 78% according to I-RODS.

Our findings support the use of GDS in an acute phase of GBS. I-RODS have their role mostly during a longer follow-up period when the majority of patients are ambulant and their other abilities besides walking are also of great importance.