Guillain-Barré syndrome overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [2]
Overview
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute, autoimmune, polyradiculoneuropathy affecting the peripheral nervous system, usually triggered by an acute infectious process. It is included in the wider group of peripheral neuropathies.
Historical perspective
It was first reported by Landry in 1859 as a case study of 10 patients with ascending paralysis. Later the characteristic features of the disease like flaccid paralysis, areflexia and CSF findings were reported by Guillain, Barré, and Strohl. The syndrome was later named Guillain-Barré syndrome after these physicians.
Natural history, complications and prognosis
Approximately 80% of patients have a complete recovery within a few months to a year, although minor findings may persist. A patient's outcome is most likely to be very good when the symptoms go away within 3 weeks after they first started. Complications like paralysis, respiratory failure and hypotension can be seen in these patients.