Prognostic prediction and therapeutic strategy in Guillain–Barré syndrome

Abstract

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), which is an acute immune–mediated polyneuropathy, rapidly causes limb weakness. Although the clinical course is monophasic, 10–20% of GBS patients can't walk without aid at one year from onset. The prognostic tools, such as Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (EGRIS), modified Erasmus GBS Outcome Score (mEGOS), and ΔIgG are useful for prediction of prognosis at early phase. Recent Japanese retrospective study indicated that intensive therapies may improve the prognosis in GBS patients prospected to be poor prognosis using mEGOS. In addition, a recent study has shown that eculizumab, the inhibitor of C5 complement, improved the long–term prognosis in GBS. In future, more accurate prognostic tool and intensive therapies including a novel therapy possibly improve the prognosis in GBS.