Complications and Prognosis

Early complications are common, particularly during the acute progressive stage.¹

Autonomic dysfunction occurs in up to two-thirds of patients, and can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and blood pressure fluctuations. This can occasionally be associated with sudden death. Patient may require a pacemaker to manage severe bradyarrhythmias.¹

Invasive ventilation may be required and this is the best predictor for extended hospital stay with some patients requiring tracheostomy. However, this does not predict outcome. Common inpatient complications include pneumonia and tracheobronchitis.

Other common complications

• DVT and PE
• Pressure ulcers
• Pain
• Psychological delirium, anxiety, depression, PTSD

Increasing age, history of preceding diarrhoea at time of presentation and high level of motor weakness at the diseases worst are poor prognostic factors for the ability to walk independently during first 6 months of follow up.

Approximately one quarter of severely-affected patients require ventilatory support.⁵

Even with IVIG or PE, one fifth of those severely affected remain unable to walk at six months.

Prognosis can be predicted from the acute stage of the disease, based on:

• Increasing patient age
• Severity of disability
• History of preceding diarrhoea
• These are all poor prognostic factors.

Learning bite

GBS is fatal in 3-10% of cases. The cause of death is multifactorial.⁶