CSF Findings in Relation to Clinical Characteristics, Subtype, and Disease Course in Patients With Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Helle Al-Hakem, Alex Y. Doets, Amro Maher Stino, Sasha A. Zivkovic, Henning Andersen, Hugh J. Willison, David R. Cornblath, Kenneth C. Gorson, Zhahirul Islam, Quazi Deen Mohammad, Søren Hein Sindrup, Susumu Kusunoki, Amy Davidson, Carlos Casasnovas, Kathleen Bateman, James A.L. Miller, Bianca Van Den Berg, Christine Verboon, Joyce Roodbol, Sonja E. LeonhardSamuel Arends, Linda W.G. Luijten, Luana Benedetti, Satoshi Kuwabara, Peter Van Den Bergh, Soledad Monges, Girolama A. Marfia, Nortina Shahrizaila, Giuliana Galassi, Yann Pereon, Jan Burmann, Krista Kuitwaard, Ruud P. Kleyweg, Cintia Marchesoni, Maria J.Sedano Tous, Luis Querol, Lorena Martin-Aguilar, Yuzhong Wang, Eduardo Nobile-Orazio, Simon Rinaldi, Angelo Schenone, Julio Pardo, Frederique H. Vermeij, Waqar Waheed, Helmar C. Lehmann, Volkan Granit, Beth Stein, Guido Cavaletti, Gerardo Gutierrez-Gutierrez, Fabio A. Barroso, Leo H. Visser, Hans D. Katzberg, Efthimios Dardiotis, Shahram Attarian, Anneke J. Van Der Kooi, Filip Eftimov, Paul W. Wirtz, Johnny P.A. Samijn, H. Jacobus Gilhuis, Robert D.M. Hadden, James K.L. Holt, Kazim A. Sheikh, Noah Kolb, Summer Karafiath, Michal Vytopil, Giovanni Antonini, Thomas E. Feasby, Catharina Faber, Hans Kramers, Mark Busby, Rhys C. Roberts, Nicholas J. Silvestri, Raffaella Fazio, Gert W. Van Dijk, Marcel P.J. Garssen, Jan Verschuuren, Thomas Harbo, Bart C. Jacobs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesTo investigate CSF findings in relation to clinical and electrodiagnostic subtypes, severity, and outcome of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) based on 1,500 patients in the International GBS Outcome Study.MethodsAlbuminocytologic dissociation (ACD) was defined as an increased protein level (>0.45 g/L) in the absence of elevated white cell count (<50 cells/L). We excluded 124 (8%) patients because of other diagnoses, protocol violation, or insufficient data. The CSF was examined in 1,231 patients (89%).ResultsIn 846 (70%) patients, CSF examination showed ACD, which increased with time from weakness onset: ≤4 days 57%, >4 days 84%. High CSF protein levels were associated with a demyelinating subtype, proximal or global muscle weakness, and a reduced likelihood of being able to run at week 2 (odds ratio [OR] 0.42, 95% CI 0.25-0.70; p = 0.001) and week 4 (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.27-0.72; p = 0.001). Patients with the Miller Fisher syndrome, distal predominant weakness, and normal or equivocal nerve conduction studies were more likely to have lower CSF protein levels. CSF cell count was <5 cells/L in 1,005 patients (83%), 5-49 cells/L in 200 patients (16%), and ≥50 cells/L in 13 patients (1%).DiscussionACD is a common finding in GBS, but normal protein levels do not exclude this diagnosis. High CSF protein level is associated with an early severe disease course and a demyelinating subtype. Elevated CSF cell count, rarely ≥50 cells/L, is compatible with GBS after a thorough exclusion of alternative diagnoses.Classification of EvidenceThis study provides Class IV evidence that CSF ACD (defined by the Brighton Collaboration) is common in patients with GBS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E2386-E2397
JournalNeurology
Volume100
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 6 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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