Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare peripheral nerve disease in which muscle weakness and sensory disturbances can occur within a few days to weeks. As Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is relatively uncommon, there is often limited awareness regarding its symptoms. The disease can have a profound impact on both patients and their families.

GBS is an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system turns against its own body, often after an infection. Two-thirds of patients have had an infection prior to GBS, usually of the respiratory tract (cold) or intestines (diarrhea).

GBS presents with a range of symptoms that differ from patient to patient. GBS mainly affects the peripheral nervous system: the nerves that provide the connections between the spinal cord and the muscles in the arms, legs and torso. GBS can result in impaired muscle function, leading to temporary paralysis in affected areas. Damage to sensory nerves from GBS can manifest as reduced sensation and pain in the hands, arms, feet, and legs.

Almost all GBS patients require hospitalization as a precautionary measure, given the risk of worsening symptoms during the early stages, regardless of initial functional impairment. Treatment is recommended in patients that are so severely affected by the disease that they are no longer able to walk ten meters independently or have other serious loss of function. If the breathing and swallowing muscles are affected by GBS, patients often require admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and may need temporary ventilation support. The latter happens in about a quarter of GBS patients.

The majority of individuals tend to recover significantly from the effects of GBS over time. About a third of patients recover completely. Another third may experience mild residual symptoms but can generally resume their normal lives. The other patients suffer from more serious residual symptoms that can sometimes seriously affect their daily life, such as severe fatigue, sensory disturbances or pain.

The GBS | CIDP Foundation International is a global nonprofit organization supporting individuals and their families affected by Guillain-Barre’ syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) and related conditions through a commitment to support, education, research and advocacy. The GBS | CIDP Foundation The GBS | CIDP Foundation supports patients by nurturing a global network of volunteers, healthcare professionals, researchers and industry partners to provide them with critical, timely, and accurate information.