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Mechanical ventilation was required in 81% of patients with a poor outcome. Mortality was 20% in patients ventilated for GBS. However, ventilated patients who survived did well, with 79% eventually regaining independent ambulation. Nineteen percent of patients improved at least one functional grade beyond 1 year. Univariate predictors of poor maximal recovery in ventilated GBS patients were increased age (p < 0.001), upper limb paralysis (P = 0.004), duration of ventilation (p = 0.006), and delay of more than 2 days to transfer to a tertiary center (p < 0.001). However, only age (OR 1.99, p = 0.004) and delayed transfer (OR 19.8 p = 0.002) were independently predictive of poor outcome on multivariate analysis. Mechanically ventilated patients constitute the majority of GBS patients with a poor outcome, and mortality remains substantial in this subgroup (20%). Although recovery from severe GBS may be prolonged, most survivors regain independent ambulation. |
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