Clinical outcome of Guillain-Barré syndrome after prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Background: Patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) may suffer from respiratory failure for months or longer. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, clinical course and outcome of patients with GBS requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods: Prospectively collected data from 526 patients with GBS participating in previous trials were analysed to determine the frequency and duration of prolonged MV (longer than 2 months).

Prediction of respiratory insufficiency in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Objective: Respiratory insufficiency is a frequent and serious complication of the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). We aimed to develop a simple but accurate model to predict the chance of respiratory insufficiency in the acute stage of the disease based on clinical characteristics available at hospital admission.

Methods: Mechanical ventilation (MV) in the first week of admission was used as an indicator of acute stage respiratory insufficiency.