Guillain‐Barré syndrome in the elderly. Issue 2 (1st June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peric, Stojan; Berisavac, Ivana; Stojiljkovic Tamas, Olivera; Rajic, Sonja; Babic, Milica; Cvijanovic, Milan; Dominovic‐Kovacevic, Aleksandra; Basta, Ivana; Beslac‐Bumbasirevic, Ljiljana; Lavrnic, Dragana
• Is Part Of: Journal of the peripheral nervous system. Volume 21:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 105
• Page End: 110
• Publication Date: 2016-06-01
• Subjects: diagnosis -- disability -- elderly -- Guillain‐Barré syndrome -- therapy; Nervous system -- Periodicals; Nerves, Peripheral -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Peripheral Nervous System -- Periodicals; 612.81
• DOI: 10.1111/jns.12163
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1085-9489

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of the study was to analyze specific features of Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) in old people. The study included 403 GBS patients (62% young [<60 years], 35% young‐old [60–80 years], and 3% old‐old [>80 years]). Diagnosis of GBS was made according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS criteria). Severe disability (GBS disability score of >3) at nadir was more common in old compared with young patients (p = 0.0001) as was mortality (9% vs. 2%, respectively). Acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy and hyponatremia were more common in old compared with young patients (12% vs. 6% and 27% vs. 18%, respectively, p = 0.04). A positive history for malignancy was more than three times more common in old than young patients (11% vs. 3%, respectively, p = 0.01). Disability on nadir was similar in young‐old and old‐old subjects with disability on discharge being more severe in old‐old (p = 0.04) suggesting slower recovery in this subgroup. Bulbar symptoms were more common in old‐old compared with young‐old (50% vs. 19%, respectively, p = 0.01). Comorbidities were present in virtually all old‐old patients compared with 66% of young‐old patients (p = 0.04). In conclusion, Elderly patients, and especially old‐old patients, with GBS have more severe disease with slower recovery than do younger patients.