THE LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS OF GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROME - EVALUATION OF PROGNOSTIC FACTORS INCLUDING PLASMA-EXCHANGE

Fifty-two patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) were re-examined 1-14 years (median 7 years) after the initial onset of symptoms. At t he follow-up 38 patients (73%) reported being completely symptom-free. Neurological examination revealed that 11 patients (21%) had motor an d 16 patients (31%) had sensory signs, mainly distal in the lower limb s. One patient (2%) had cranial nerve signs. Fifteen patients (29%) ha d areflexia, generally of the ankle jerks. Severe pareses (high maxima l disability grade), long duration of maximal symptoms and recovery we re significantly associated with persistent disability. Age, sex, prec eding infection, latency between infection and the onset of disease, w eakness as an initial symptom, autonomic dysfunction, speed of progres sion, electro-physiological signs of axonal degeneration, cerebrospina l-fluid protein concentration and treatment with plasma exchange did n ot significantly influence the disability grade at follow-up.