Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes diagnosticados com síndrome de Guillain-Barré

Abstract

Background: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare acute inflammatory disease that affects peripheral nerves and cranial nerves, causing progressive muscle weakness, being potentially fatal. Objective: To outline a clinical-epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with GBS. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted with analysis of medical records of patients classified in CID 61.0 between January 2016 and December 2019 in two hospitals in Passo Fundo, RS. Frequencies were generated and analyzed. Results: The sample consisted of 65 patients: 58.3% were men and 70.8% were aged between 18-59 years. All had compromised muscle strength and 87.7% had altered tendon reflexes. According to the Hughes Scale, 75.4% had moderate-severe disease. Moreover, 23.1% needed ventilatory support and 29.2% needed intensive care. The main antecedent was respiratory infection (24.6%) with time longer than 1 week (32.3%). CSF analysis was the most used test (87.7%). The main complication was respiratory failure (23.1%). Immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis were used equally as treatment (43.1% each). The length of stay was 8-29 days in 60%. The fatality rate was 7.7%. Conclusion: The idea found in other studies that the disease is highly disabling to the individual and that it often requires ventilatory support and intensive care is corroborated. There is divergence in the exam and treatment used in comparison with research. As it is a rare disease, the data is insufficient and there is need for further studies, especially with long-term evaluation of patients.