A simple functional marker to predict the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome

Table 3 Comparison according to the duration of mechanical ventilation

	MV ≤15 days n= 12	MV >15 days n= 28	P value
Sex, males/females	7/12	16/28	NS
Age, years	50 ± 20	56 ± 21	NS
SAPS II	35 ± 25	25 ± 15	NS
DSH, days	5.0 ± 6.3	6.2 ± 7.2	NS
Delay to improvement, days	12 ± 11	28 ± 30	0.03
ICU length of stay, days	17 ± 10	75 ± 99	0.002
Sodium at admission, mmol/L	136 ± 3.9	133 ± 3.5	0.04
Dysautonomy, number	8/12	16/28	NS
EMG subtype, percentage of demyelinating subtype	63	82	NS
Acquired infection, percentage of patients	75	96	NS
Lack of foot flexion, number (percentage)
At admission	4 (34)	18 (65)	0.01
At the end of immunotherapy	5 (42)	23 (82)	0.001
Independent ambulation at follow-up, percentage	53	49	NS
Deaths, number	2	2	-

Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (median) unless otherwise stated. Delay to improvement refers to delay between end of immunotherapy and first neurological improvement. DSH, delay between onset of symptoms and hospital admission; EMG, electromyography; ICU, intensive care unit; MV, mechanical ventilation; NS, not significant; SAPS II, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II.

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