Demographic, Clinical, and Investigational Characteristics of COVID-19- related Guillain-Barré Syndrome with Differences from Typical and Another Virus-related Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

BACKGROUNDS

SARS-CoV-2 infection typically presents with fever and respiratory symptoms. Besides this, COVID-19-related central and peripheral nervous system manifestations are emerging.

OBJECTIVES

This study summarises the demographics, clinical profiles, laboratory findings, management strategies, and outcomes in a large number of patients with COVID-19-related GBS and its variants. We also compared its clinical profile with Zika and dengue virus-related GBS.

METHODS

The authors carried out a literature search up to Dec 31, 2020, in MEDLINE, PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane database, and Google Scholar for all published articles.

RESULTS

The study identified 54 different types of articles consisting of 70 cases from 17 countries worldwide. A maximum of 15 cases (21.4 %) were identified from Italy, followed by the USA (12; 17.1 %), Spain (11; 15.7 %), and Iran (10; 14.3 %). The age group that was more than 60 years had the most cases, i.e., 32 (45.7 %), followed by the age group 40-60 with 25 cases (35.7 %) with a male to female ratio of 2. Maximum cases were treated with IVIG infusion 58 (82.9 %), followed by Plasma exchange 13 (18.6 %) cases. Out of 70 cases, 7 (10 %) cases were manifested as Miller-Fisher syndrome. The most predominant electrodiagnostic variant was demyelinating neuropathy in 41 (73.21 %) cases. The outcome reported in 67 cases was survival in 63 (90 %) cases and death in 4 (5.7 %) cases.

CONCLUSION

Covid-19-related GBS were reported worldwide with a better outcome. Both postinfectious and parainfectious patterns were reported. Early recognition with prompt management of GBS can prevent further severe morbidity and mortality.