title: Guillain-Barré syndrome: natural history and prognostic factors: a retrospective review of 106 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is characterized by acute onset and progressive course, and is usually associated with a good prognosis. However, there are forms of poor prognosis, needing ventilatory support and major deficits at discharge. With this study we try to identify the factors associated with a worse outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  106 cases of GBS admitted in our hospital between years 2000-2010 were reviewed. Epidemiological, clinical, therapeutical and evolutionary data were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At admission 45% had severe deficits, percentage which improves throughout the evolution of the illness, with full recovery or minor deficits in the 87% of patients at the first year review. Ages greater than 55 years, severity at admission (p < 0.001), injured cranial nerves (p = 0.008) and the needing of ventilator support (p = 0.003) were associated with greater sequels at the discharge and at the posterior reviews in the following months. 17% required mechanical ventilation (MV). Values < 250 L/min in the Peak Flow-test are associated with an increased likelihood of requiring MV (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older age, severe deficits at onset, injured cranial nerves, requiring MV, and axonal lesion patterns in the NCS were demonstrated as poor prognostic factors. Peak Flow-test is a useful predictive factor of respiratory failure by its easy management.
authors.forename: Inés
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: González-Suárez
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sanz-Gallego
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Rodríguez de Rivera
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arpa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001369:Axons; D005260:Female; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult