To assess the functional status of patients affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after their diagnosis.

GBS presents as an acute progressive usually ascending limb weakness, that can affect breathing by diaphragm involvement. Sensory and/or autonomic symptoms can also be present. Motor sequelae are common, leaving high dependency states and impacting activities of daily living.

Patients with GBS included in the NEAS study from 2016 to august 2020 were contacted by telephone to participate in a follow-up interview aiming to establish the current dependency level in activities of daily living. Modified Rankin, Hughes and Barthel scales were applied.

From 105 patients included in the study, 46 (43.8%) answered the call. There were 16 (34.8%) females, age ranging from 4 to 96 years with a mean of 50.3 years (SD 21.9 y). Median time from diagnosis to interview was 2.3 years (IQR 0.87-3). At the time of diagnosis, most patients (51.1%, n=23) had a Rankin scale score of 5, while the median score nowadays is 1, with 78.3% (n=36) being ≤2. The median improvement in Rankin scale from diagnosis to actual condition was 3 points (IQR 2-4). Similar findings are reflected by Hughes scale: 71.7% (n=33) of the patients had a score ≤2. Regarding dependency in activities of daily living determined by Barthel index, 71.7% (n=33) were independent, while 17.4% (n=8), 6.5% (n=3) and 4.3% (n=2) were mildly, moderately or completely dependent, respectively.

All interviewed patients showed some degree of improvement in their functional status. The residual grade of disability was absent or mild in the majority of cases. Most of them are independent in activities of daily living. This could be related to the relatively young age of the included patients, which can positively affect the recovery process.