Refining the Pulmonary and Functional Competencies in a Male Patient With Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most prevalent form of autoimmune-related acute demyelinating polyneuropathy that affects people of any age group. Its global prevalence is 1.9 per 100,000 people. Acute or subacute symmetrical motor and sensory neuropathy involving several peripheral nerves is referred to as GBS. It typically occurs after an infection caused by a virus, but infrequently with surgery or vaccination. There are different variants of GBS, like acute sensory axonal neuropathy, acute motor axonal neuropathy, and Miller-Fisher syndrome. Motor paralysis that affects distal muscles more than proximal muscles and is more pronounced and symmetrical may be a presenting symptom of GBS. Over the course of several days, it starts in the legs and progresses to the arms, face, and eyes. Reflexes may be missing, bifacial weakness may be present, severe cases result in respiratory paralysis, and autonomic abnormalities may be rare. Patients with GBS exhibit anti-ganglioside antibodies that seem to react with antigens found in some previous infectious pathogens' lipopolysaccharides. These antibodies target gangliosides, like GM1, which are dispersed within the myelin of the peripheral nervous system. There are three phases: acute, plateau, and recovery. Only plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin have shown effective recovery. A 24-year-old male presented with weakness of the bilateral lower limb associated with fever and breathlessness. The range of motion of hip flexion was reduced to 45 degrees, and muscle power was also reduced. For hip flexors, it was 3/5; for knee flexors and extensors, it was 4/5; and for ankle plantar flexors and dorsiflexors, it was 2/5. Investigations like a complete blood count (CBC), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were done. Post-diagnosis, the patient received an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) dose; the same was managed by neurophysiotherapy, and after treatment, the patient was functionally independent. According to the findings of our study, neurorehabilitation resulted in favorable outcomes, shortened the length of the hospital stay, and enabled him to return to his desk job.