lntravenous lmmunoglobulin In Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Abstract

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute monophasic demyelinating disorder ofthe peripheral nervous system. The basic disease process is believed to be immunological, involving both humaral and cefl-mediated immunity. Searchfor effective and specifıc treatment led to use of various immuno-modulatory therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in patients with GBS. Cases (n= 12, IVIG group) were enrofled prospectively, and controls (n= 12), similar to cases in age and severity of illness, retrospectively. All patients received similar supportive care. in addition, cases received IV/G 0.4 g/kg/day for 3-5 days. In all cases, IVIG was started within the fırst 15 days of neurological symptoms. The median times to improvement by at least one grade of function were7.2 days in IVIG-treated group and 14.3 in control s (P=0.006). İn the IVIG group, the length of hospital stay was signifıcantly shorter ( 14.9 days vs 24.3 days, P=0.043). We conclude that the patients treated with IVIG have a signifıcantly faster rate of recovery and IVIG therapy shortens the length of stay in hospital.