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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2007 Oct;254(10):1318-22.
doi: 10.1007/s00415-006-0515-2. Epub 2007 Apr 11.

Determination of pain and response to methylprednisolone in Guillain-Barré syndrome

Liselotte Ruts  1 , Rinske van Koningsveld, Bart C Jacobs, Pieter A van Doorn
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Determination of pain and response to methylprednisolone in Guillain-Barré syndrome

Liselotte Ruts et al. J Neurol. 2007 Oct.

Abstract

Pain can be a serious problem in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Different pain symptoms and the effect of methylprednisolone on pain are evaluated.

Methods: GBS patients were recruited from a randomized placebo-controlled study comparing intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) + methylprednisolone (500 mg for 5 days) versus IVIg + placebo. Presence and severity of pain were prospectively scored at randomization and after 4 weeks. Efficacy of methylprednisolone was evaluated using endpoints: percentage of patients with pain and percentage of patients improving in pain-severity level. Medical records of the subgroup of patients treated in the Erasmus MC were screened retrospectively for different pain symptoms and course. Pain was scored at different time intervals: within 4 weeks before randomization and 0-2, 2-4, 4-24, 24-52 weeks after randomization.

Results: 123 (55%) of 223 patients had pain at randomization. In 70%, pain already started before onset of weakness. Methylprednisolone did not show a positive effect on the presence and reduction of pain. In the subgroup of 39 patients, backache (33%), interscapular (28%), muscle (24%), radicular pain (18%) and painful par-/dysaesthesiae (18%) were most frequently present within the period of 4 weeks before randomization. Twenty-six percent had extreme pain 0-2 weeks after randomization. Most symptoms of pain decreased after this period, but painful par-/dysaesthesiae and muscle pain often remained present during at least 6 months.

Conclusions: Pain frequently occurs, often starts before onset of weakness and may cause severe complaints. Especially painful par-/dysaesthesiae and muscle pain may persist for months. Methylprednisolone seems to have no significant effect on the presence and intensity of pain.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Occurrence of pain before onset of weakness in 86 GBS patients. Pain = one or more pain symptoms, 86/223 GBS patients started with pain before onset of weakness
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Prevalence rate of pain over time in 39 patients with GBS. Pain = one or more pain symptoms. Extreme pain = severe complaints due to one or more pain. symptoms despite analgesics; defined as feeling uncomfortable due to pain, not well sleeping due to pain. Time-interval 24–52: n = 36 patients
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