Improving Outcome in Severe Myasthenia Gravis and Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Maximiliano A. Hawkes, Eelco F.M. Wijdicks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

When progressive and severe, myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barré syndrome may have the potential for fatal and unfavorable clinical outcomes. Regardless of important differences in their clinical course, the development of weakness of oropharyngeal muscles and respiratory failure with requirement of mechanical ventilation is the main driver of poor prognosis in both conditions. The need for prolonged mechanical ventilation is particularly relevant because it immobilizes the patient and care becomes extraordinarily complex due to daily risks of systemic complications. Additionally, patients with myasthenia gravis often require long-term immunosuppressive treatments with associated toxicity and infectious risks. Unlike myasthenia gravis, the recovery period is prolonged in Guillain-Barré syndrome, but often favorable, even in the more severely affected patients. Outcome, for a large part, is determined by expert neurocritical care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)263-270
Number of pages8
JournalSeminars in Neurology
Volume44
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 19 2024

Keywords

  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome
  • Neurocritical care
  • Outcomes
  • Prognosis
  • myasthenia gravis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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