PROGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE OF ARTIFICIAL-VENTILATION IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROME

The prognostic significance of the need for artificial ventilation in the clinical course of Guillain-Barre syndrome (inflammatory demyelina ting polyradiculoneuropathy) (GBS) was examined in a total of 75 patie nts. We recorded the CBS score according to Hughes in all patients on admission, after 4 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. All patients achiev ed a GBS score value of at least 4, and therefore underwent immunomodu latory treatment. 28 of the 75 patients required artificial respiratio n. At the time of admission, the GBS score was significantly greater i n patients who later required artificial ventilation than in those who did not (p<0.001). On re-checking the GBS score 4 weeks later, we fou nd a highly significant difference (p<0.0001) between the two groups. However, at 6 months and 12 months follow-up this difference was no lo nger seen. The data show that the need for artificial ventilation is a n unfavourable factor with regard to the mid-term clinical course. How ever, this factor does not influence long-term prognosis. The patients show quite complete remission on long-term follow up. The various mod alities of immunomodulatory treatment did not show any significant dif ference in the outcome criteria at 4 weeks or on long-term follow-up.