Guillain Barré Syndrome

10 step approach to Dx and Mx - an expert consensus 2019

Diagnosis

1. When to suspect GBS • Rapidly progressive bilateral limb weakness +/- sensory deficits
• hypo/areflexia
• facial or bulbar palsy
• opthalmoplegia & ataxia
2. How to diagnose GBS • check diagnostic criteria
• exclude other causes
• Consider - routine bloods, CSF exam, Electrophysiological studies

Acute Care

3. When to admit to ICU
one or more of:
• Rapid progression of weakness
• severe autonomic or swallowing dysfunction
• Evolving resp distress
• EGRIS>4 (Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score)
4. When to start Rx
one or more of:
• inability to walk >10m independently
• rapid progression of weakness
• severe autonomic or swallowing dysfunction
• resp insufficiency
5. Treatment options • IV immunoglobulin (0.4g/kg daily for 5/7)
• plasma exchange (200-250ml/kg for 5 sessions
6. Monitoring • regular assessments of muscle strength, resp function, swallowing function, BP, HR/rhythm, bowel & bladder control
7. Early complications • choking
• cardiac arrhythmias
• infections
• DVT
• dietary insuffiency, Hyponatraemia
• constipation, urinary retention
• compression neuropathy, limb contractures
• corneal ulceration, pressure ulcers
• depression, delirium
8. Clinical progression • Treatment related fluctuation: repeat same Rx
• no initial response or incomplete: no evidence for repeating Rx

Long term care

9. Predicting outcome • calculate mEGOS (modified Erasmus GBS Outcome Score) on admission
• recovery can continue >3y after onset
• recurrence is rare (2-5%)
10. Rehabilitation • start rehab early
• manage long term complaints (fatigue, pain, psychological)
• support with GBS organisations
References include:

Dx & Mx of Guillain Barre in 10 steps 2019