Disability and health-related quality of life in Guillain-Barré syndrome during the first two years after onset: a prospective study

Abstract

Objective: To describe changes in disability and health-related quality of life in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome in Sweden during the first two years after onset.

Subjects: Forty-four patients were recruited from eight different hospitals, and 42 of them (mean age 52 years) were followed for two years. Evaluations were performed, primarily as home visits, at two weeks, two months, six months, one year and two years after onset.

Main measures: Disability was measured using the Katz Personal and Extended Activities of Daily Living Indexes, the Barthel Index, the Frenchay Activity Index and assessments of work capacity; health-related quality of life using the Sickness impact Profile.

Results: At two weeks, one year and two years after onset of Guillain-Barré syndrome, 76%, 14% and 12% of patients were dependent in personal activities of daily life (ADL); and 98%, 28% and 26% were dependent in instrumental ADL. At two weeks, all of the patients that were working before onset were unable to work owing to Guillain-Barré syndrome; at two years, 17% were unable to work. At two weeks, scores on Sickness Impact Profile were elevated in all dimensions; at two years, they remained elevated in the physical dimension and in the categories home management, work and recreation and pastimes.

Conclusions: The impact of Guillain-Barré syndrome on ADL, work, social activities and health-related quality is considerable two years after onset and presumably persists beyond this time point.