Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) Flashcards
What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?
GBS is an acute, immune-mediated polyneuropathy causing muscle weakness and sensory loss, often triggered by infection.
What are the typical symptoms of GBS?
Progressive symmetrical weakness, areflexia, paraesthesia, and sometimes autonomic dysfunction.
What is the usual pattern of weakness in GBS?
Weakness typically starts in the lower limbs and ascends proximally (ascending paralysis).
What is the most common trigger for GBS?
Infections such as Campylobacter jejuni, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and influenza.
What is the pathophysiology of GBS?
It involves immune-mediated damage to peripheral nerves and myelin sheaths, often through molecular mimicry.
What are the subtypes of GBS?
Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), Miller Fisher syndrome, and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN).
What is the prevalence of GBS?
GBS occurs in approximately 1–2 cases per 100,000 people annually.
What are the risk factors for GBS?
Recent infections (especially Campylobacter), recent vaccination, and certain autoimmune conditions.
What is the clinical course of GBS?
Symptoms typically progress over days to weeks, plateau, and then gradually resolve over weeks to months.
What autonomic symptoms can occur in GBS?
Tachycardia, bradycardia, hypotension, hypertension, and urinary retention.
What are the hallmark clinical examination findings in GBS?
Symmetrical flaccid weakness, absent or reduced reflexes, and sensory abnormalities.
What is the role of lumbar puncture in GBS diagnosis?
It typically shows raised protein with normal white cell count (albuminocytological dissociation).
What is the role of nerve conduction studies in GBS?
They confirm peripheral nerve dysfunction and help differentiate between demyelinating and axonal subtypes.
What are the differential diagnoses for GBS?
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), myasthenia gravis, botulism, and transverse myelitis.
What is the first-line treatment for GBS?
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or plasma exchange.
When is ventilatory support required in GBS?
In cases of respiratory muscle weakness or bulbar dysfunction leading to respiratory failure.
What supportive care is important in GBS management?
Regular physiotherapy, pain management, prevention of venous thromboembolism, and monitoring for autonomic instability.
What is the prognosis of GBS?
Most patients recover fully, though some may experience residual weakness or fatigue.
What percentage of GBS patients require intensive care?
Approximately 25% of GBS patients require ventilatory support in an ICU.
What is Miller Fisher syndrome?
A variant of GBS characterised by ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia.
What is the association between GBS and vaccines?
A very small risk of GBS has been associated with certain vaccines, such as the influenza vaccine.
What role does physiotherapy play in GBS management?
Physiotherapy helps maintain muscle strength, prevent contractures, and promote functional recovery.
What is the mortality rate of GBS?
Mortality is approximately 3–7%, often due to complications such as respiratory failure or autonomic instability.
What is albuminocytological dissociation?
It refers to elevated protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) without an increase in white blood cells, a hallmark of GBS.
What long-term complications can result from GBS?
Chronic fatigue, residual weakness, pain, and psychological effects such as depression or anxiety.
