[Comparative study between the use and the non-use of steroids in Guillain-Barré syndrome]

We studied 21 patients admitted at Servidores do Estado do Rio de Janeiro Hospital with clinical and laboratorial diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome from May 1966 to December 1983. It was not observed any prevalence of symptoms at any special season of the year; 14 male patients and 7 female at the 2nd. and 4th. decades were analysed. The average time of hospitalization for patients without steroids was 52.6 days and for patients taking steroids was of 63.6 days. We discussed the therapeutic value of steroids and our conclusion is that improvement was shorter and better in patients without steroids. They acquired less time of hospitalization. Besides this, side effects on patients with steroids was greater.