Mazhar Badshah, Ghulam Shabbir, Sumaira Fazal Nabi, Daniyal Ahmed.
Association of serum albumin levels and Guillain Barre Syndrome (gbs) outcome..
Pak J Neurological Sci Jan ;13(2):6-7.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a polyradiculoneuropathy characterized by a rapidly progressive bilateral paresis of the limbs. Nadir is typically reached within a number of days or weeks, followed by a recovery that is generally much slower and often incomplete. Guillain-Barre syndrome is usually preceded by infection or other immune stimulation that induces an aberrant autoimmune response targeting peripheral nerves and their spinal roots.IVIG and Plasmapheresis are used first line treatments in GBS treatment. For better assessment of treatment response, biomarkers reflecting Plasmapheresis and IVIG efficacy are needed. Aim of this study is to determine serum albumin as an independent biomarker for clinical outcome in plasmapheresis treated-GBS patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a descriptive case study conducted in Neurology Department ShaheedZulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University Islamabad for the period of six months from July 2017 to December 2017. Serum albumin levels were determined in 70 patients with GBS. Patients were assigned into two groups. One with low albumin level (26 patients, 37.1 %) and other with normal albumin level (44 patients, 62.9% ). Every patient underwent same number of sessions of plasmapheresis and assessed clinically by using GBS disability score and Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score for a follow up period of 6 months. RESULTS: Out of 26 patients with low albumin level 7 patients, 26.9%, had good outcome and 19 patients,73.1%, had poor outcome i.e had significant disability at 6 months follow up with GBS disability scale score of 2 or more. Out of 44 patients who had normal albumin level 25 patients,45.7%, showed good clinical outcome and 19 patients, 54.3%, showed poor clinical outcome on the basis of GBS disability score and MRC sum score after a period of 6 months. P value was 0.015 and was significant in that higher the albumin levels will be, more chances of having good prognosis.

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