Guillan–Barré syndrome affects the quality of life after discharge from the ICU

Introduction

There are some patients with Guillan–Barré syndrome (GBS) that require intensive care, either owing to the accentuated progression of their clinical history or because of evolution towards acute respiratory failure. Most of the time, there are deep sequelae that cause impacts on the quality of life (QOL) of these patients. There is no specific score for the assessment of physical and/or motor inability in GBS patients.

Objective

To assess the QOL of GBS patients admitted to the ICU, after hospital discharge, utilizing the SF-36 and the Barthel Index.

Methods

The GBS incidence in the population of patients admitted to the ICU of Hospital Estadual do Grajaú in the period from April 2005 to October 2008 was reviewed and a study file was elaborated with demographic data. For the patients' follow-up, telephone contact was established and, after consent was granted, those who agreed responded to SF-36 and Barthel Index questionnaires. Telephone contact was not possible only in one patient. Additionally, the professional activity of the patient was evaluated before and after the disorder.

Results

In this sample, seven patients presented a GBS diagnosis, reflecting 0.5% of the total group. Out of the seven patients, six presented previous infections. The mean average ICU length of stay was 14.4 days. Three patients required mechanical ventilation (42.8%). Tracheotomy was performed in two patients. All of them were supplied with immunoglobulins. The evaluation report results as per the Barthel Index and the SF-36 are presented in Tables 1 and 2, respectively.

Table 1 Results of the Barthel Index questionnaires relating to the daily activities of GBS patients

Table 2 Results of the SF-36 questionnaire relating to eight major masteries

Conclusion

GBS patients undergo an impact on QOL, although there was a considerable physical recovery after a period of 1 to 2 years. These results may help doctors to be aware that a careful neurological examination may be complemented with the opinion of the patients regarding their QOL.