Perspectives in Medical Research

Volume: 13 Issue: 2

  • Open Access
  • Original Article

Clinical Course and Short-Term Outcome of Mild Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Retrospective Observational Study from Western India

Pranav B Joshi1*, Shalin D Shah2, Mayank A Patel2, Kailash Mirche3, Swati Trivedi3, Devanshi S Shah4

1Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, SVP Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
2Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, SVP Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
3Senior Registrar, VSGH, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
4MBBS, NHLMMC, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India


*Corresponding Author
Pranav B Joshi, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, SVP Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Ahmedabad,
Gujarat, India
E-MAIL: [email protected]

Year: 2025, Page: 128-133, Doi: https://doi.org/10.47799/pimr.1302.25.17

Received: May 30, 2025 Accepted: June 17, 2025 Published: Aug. 19, 2025

Abstract

Background: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) has a variable clinical course. Limited data are available on therapeutic decisions in patients with mild disease severity. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, record-based observational study of 32 patients with mild GBS (defined as Hughes disability grade ≤ 2) admitted to SVP Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (Ahmedabad) from August 2016 to July 2019. Patients who worsened clinically during hospitalization (i.e., an increase by ≥1 Hughes grade) were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or plasmapheresis (PLEX). Demographic, clinical, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and electrodiagnostic parameters were analyzed. Outcomes were assessed at 1-month post-discharge. Statistical tests included Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression. Results: Among 32 patients (mean age 31.3 years; M: F ratio 3.6:1), nine experienced clinical worsening and required treatment. Early presentation (<7 days from symptom onset) was significantly associated with deterioration (p < 0.001). Bulbar and bifacial weakness were more common among treated patients. Regression analysis showed symptom onset-to-hospitalization duration was the only independent predictor of worsening (OR 3.74, p = 0.032). At 1 month, 66.7% of treated patients and 34.8% of untreated patients had a good outcome (Hughes ≤1). Conclusion: Mild GBS patients presenting within 7 days were more likely to deteriorate during admission in this retrospective cohort. Prospective studies that account for time-at-risk and use validated risk scores are needed to guide treatment decisions.

Keywords: Mild GBS, Outcome, Hughes scale, MRC sum score, Retrospective study

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Cite this article

Joshi PB, Shah SD, Patel MA, Mirche K, Trivedi S, Shah DS. Clinical Course and Short-Term Outcome of Mild Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Retrospective Observational Study from Western India. Perspectives in Medical Research. 2025;13(2):128-133 DOI:10.47799/pimr.1302.25.17

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