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What’s new in Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Jane Pritchard, Neurology Specialist Registrar, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK;
jpritchard@doctors.org.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has become the major cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis in the Western world since the eradicationof polio, with an annual incidence of 1–2 per 100,000. It can affect all ages including children, but becomes increasingly common with age. In the 90 years since the syndrome was first described in World War I soldiers, much progress has been made in understanding its aetiology and treatment. Recently a great deal has changed as we increasingly realise that GBS comprises a group of heterogeneous disorders with likely different immunological pathogeneses.

Clinically, it is useful to divide the syndrome into subtypes rather than lump it all together as one disorder. This leads to appropriate use of investigations, informs evidence based management, and provides a more accurate prognosis for patients.

DIAGNOSING GBS

Despite major advances, GBS, like many other neurological diseases, remains a clinical diagnosis. Laboratory tests help support the diagnosis and exclude other . . . [Full text of this article]

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