What are the symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?

From the Guidelines

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) typically presents with progressive muscle weakness that begins in the legs and can spread upward to the arms and face, accompanied by sensory symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and pain, as well as potential autonomic dysfunction 1. The initial symptoms often include tingling, pins and needles sensations, or numbness in the extremities, followed by weakness that worsens over hours to days. Patients may experience difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or rising from a seated position. As GBS progresses, muscle weakness can affect the respiratory muscles, potentially causing breathing difficulties that may require ventilatory support in severe cases.

Key Symptoms

• Progressive muscle weakness starting in the legs and potentially spreading to the arms and face
• Sensory symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and pain in the extremities
• Autonomic symptoms including heart rate fluctuations, blood pressure instability, and bladder or bowel dysfunction
• Potential respiratory muscle involvement leading to breathing difficulties
• Facial weakness, difficulty swallowing, and speech problems when cranial nerves are involved The symptoms typically reach their peak within two to four weeks, after which they plateau before gradually improving. GBS is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves following an infection or other immune trigger, causing inflammation and demyelination that disrupts nerve signal transmission, explaining the progressive weakness and sensory symptoms 1.

Disease Course and Outcome

• Most patients reach maximum disability within 2 weeks
• About 20% of patients develop respiratory failure and require mechanical ventilation
• Mortality estimated at 3–10% due to cardiovascular and respiratory complications
• Long-term residual complaints common, including neuropathic pain, weakness, and fatigue, but recovery can still occur >5 years after disease onset 1

From the Research

Symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

The symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) are not explicitly described in the provided studies. However, the studies discuss the treatment and management of GBS, which can be used to infer the symptoms of the disease.

Treatment and Management

• Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) are commonly used treatments for GBS 2, 3, 4, 5.
• These treatments can help improve symptoms and reduce the risk of serious complications, such as respiratory failure 4.
• The studies also discuss the use of other treatments, such as cerebrospinal fluid filtration and Chinese herbal medicine, but the evidence for these treatments is limited 3.

Outcomes and Prognosis

• The outcomes and prognosis for patients with GBS can vary depending on the severity of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment 4, 5.
• Some patients may experience a full recovery, while others may be left with residual weakness or disability 4.
• The risk of relapse and the likelihood of full muscle strength recovery at one year are also important considerations in the management of GBS 4.

Limitations of the Evidence

• The evidence for the treatment and management of GBS is largely based on randomized controlled trials and observational studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• However, the quality of the evidence can be limited by factors such as small sample sizes and variability in treatment protocols 3.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the symptoms, treatment, and management of GBS.