Monocytes and systemic inflammation in Guillain-Barré syndrome: Subtypes and relationship with prognosis

Memet Aslanyavrusu; Fahrettin Ege; Gülhan Sarıçam

doi:10.55697/tnd.2025.508

Memet Aslanyavrusu¹, Fahrettin Ege², Gülhan Sarıçam³

¹Department of Neurology, Kayseri City Hospital, Kayseri, Türkiye
²Department of Neurology, Yüksek İhtisas University, Ankara, Türkiye
³Department of Neurology, Ankara Pursaklar State Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye

Keywords: Guillain-barré syndrome, monocyte count, systemic inflammation.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the role of hematological inflammation markers [monocyte count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and C-reactive protein (CRP)] in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), compare these markers across GBS subtypes, and explore their relationship with disease prognosis.

Patients and methods: This retrospective study included 65 patients (40 males, 25 females; mean age: 49.5±17.0 years; range, 18 to 89 years) with GBS (35 acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy [AIDP], 30 acute motor axonal neuropathy [AMAN] and acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy [AMSAN]) and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (33 males, 27 females; mean age: 50.3±16.9 years; range, 19 to 88 years) between January 2022 and February 2025. Complete blood count parameters and CRP were recorded at diagnosis. Functional disability was assessed using the Hughes Functional Grading Scale at baseline and after three months.

Results: Compared to controls, GBS patients had significantly higher monocyte counts and NLR, SII, and CRP levels (p

Conclusion: Inflammation markers such as the monocyte count, NLR, and SII are elevated in GBS, particularly in axonal subtypes. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and SII may serve as potential prognostic markers, with higher values indicating poorer clinical recovery.

Cite this article as: Aslanyavrusu M, Ege F, Sarıçam G. Monocytes and systemic inflammation in Guillain-Barré syndrome: Subtypes and relationship with prognosis. Turk J Neurol 2025;31(3):334-340. doi: 10.55697/tnd.2025.508.