GBS

Question 1

What is GBS

Answer 1

acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Question 2

T or F: GBS is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis

Answer 2

T: this is a neurologic emergency

Question 3

what does GBS affect?

Answer 3

spinal nerve roots, peripheral nerves, and sometimes cranial nerves

Question 4

T or F: GBS can affect any age

Answer 4

T: mean age is 40

Question 5

are males or females affected more often by GBS

Answer 5

males slightly more

Question 6

is GBS an UMN or LMN disease

Answer 6

LMN

Question 7

does GBS predominantly affect motor or sensory fibers?

Answer 7

motor but can also affect sensory fibers mildly

Question 8

key feature of GBS

Answer 8

progressive weakness/paralysis and areflexia

Question 9

does GBS start in the LE or UE? proximal or distal?

Answer 9

LE to UE
distal to proximal

Question 10

where are sensory deficits usually found with GBS

Answer 10

feet and hands

Question 11

GBS is an ______ disease

Answer 11

autoimmune

Question 12

what does GBS attack/destory

Answer 12

myeline and then schwann cells

Question 13

T or F: axons are left in tact with GBS

Answer 13

T

Question 14

Miller fisher syndrome

Answer 14

varient of GBS -
ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, areflexia

Question 15

acute motor axonal neuropathy

Answer 15

varient of GBS where macrophages attack axon instead of myeline

Question 16

chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)

Answer 16

involves progressive or relapsing motor and/or sensory deficits in more than 1 limb

Question 17

T or F: CIDP is a variant of GBS

Answer 17

F: it is a different disease

Question 18

T or F: with CIDP respiratory function is usually spared

Answer 18

T

Question 19

Does CIDP or GBS have a better prognosis

Answer 19

GBS

Question 20

what is the treatment for GBS

Answer 20

IVIG

Question 21

T or F: many pts with GBS have a preceding illness

Answer 21

T: 66%

Question 22

What is a bacterial agent associated with GBS? viral agent?

Answer 22

bacterial - campylobacter jejuni (gastroenteritis)
viral - cytomegalovirus (CMV) also COVID/Flu

Question 23

other than bacterial and viral infections, what are 3 other things associated with GBS

Answer 23

1 - vaccines - very low risk
2 - spine surgery
3 - pregnancy

Question 24

how may a pt with GBS present clinically? (4 signs)

Answer 24

• distal parathesias/numbness
• bilateral progressing weakness of a 4 limbs
• areflexia
• history of recent illness

Question 25

In someone with GBS, what will a lumbar puncture show?

Answer 25

CSF will have elevated protein *also rules out infection

Question 26

what do they test for in blood work for suspected GBS?

Answer 26

antibodies

Question 27

electrophysiologic studies in pts with GBS are more for what purpose

Answer 27

research

Question 28

____% of pts with GBS reach most sever stage within 1 week of onset. ___% within 2 weeks. ___% within 3 weeks

Answer 28

50 70 80

Question 29

T or F: some pts with GBS become ventilator dependent

Answer 29

T:10-20%

Question 30

3 phases of GBS

Answer 30

1 - progressive 2 - plateau 3 - recovery

Question 31

how long does progressive phase of GBS last

Answer 31

usually a few days - 4 weeks

Question 32

how long does the plateau phase of GBS last?

Answer 32

varies: days, weeks, months of unchanging symptoms

Question 33

recovery phase typically begins within ____ to ___ weeks after progression stops or condition has plateaued

Answer 33

2-4

Question 34

___% of pt with GBS report being ambulatory within 6 months of onset

Answer 34

80% 65-75% report clinically normal motor function in 6-12 months

Question 35

what are the two most common residual deficits with GBS

Answer 35

DF weakness and fatigue

Question 36

what are some predictors of poor prognosis for GBS

Answer 36

- rapid onset and progression to tetraplegia - respiratory dependence - severity - no improvement after 3-4 weeks plateau - C-jejuni infection