The aim of this study was to define features of Guillain-Barré syndrome in a large cohort of patients from three Western Balkans countries. Data from adult Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases from 2009 to 2013 were retrospectively obtained from all tertiary health care centers. During the 5-year period, 327 new cases of GBS were identified with a male to female ratio of 1.7 : 1. The most common GBS variants were demyelinating (65%) and axonal (12%). At nadir 45% of patients were chair-bound, confined to bed, or required assisted ventilation, while 5% died. The crude incidence of GBS in Serbia and Montenegro was 0.93 per 100,000 population, and age-adjusted incidence according to the world standard population was 0.86 per 100,000. Incidence was particularly high in 50- to 80-year-old men. Statistically significant seasonal variations of GBS were not observed. This study of patients with GBS in the Western Balkans allows us to prepare the health system better and to improve the management of patients. This study also opens opportunities for international collaboration and for taking part in the multinational studies on GBS.

The aim of the study was to analyze specific features of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in old people. The study included 403 GBS patients (62% young [<60 years], 35% young-old [60-80 years], and 3% old-old [>80 years]). Diagnosis of GBS was made according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS criteria). Severe disability (GBS disability score of >3) at nadir was more common in old compared with young patients (p = 0.0001) as was mortality (9% vs. 2%, respectively). Acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy and hyponatremia were more common in old compared with young patients (12% vs. 6% and 27% vs. 18%, respectively, p = 0.04). A positive history for malignancy was more than three times more common in old than young patients (11% vs. 3%, respectively, p = 0.01). Disability on nadir was similar in young-old and old-old subjects with disability on discharge being more severe in old-old (p = 0.04) suggesting slower recovery in this subgroup. Bulbar symptoms were more common in old-old compared with young-old (50% vs. 19%, respectively, p = 0.01). Comorbidities were present in virtually all old-old patients compared with 66% of young-old patients (p = 0.04). In conclusion, Elderly patients, and especially old-old patients, with GBS have more severe disease with slower recovery than do younger patients.

Un an et trois ans après l'apparition des premiers symptômes du SGB, un nombre important de patients donnaient à voir des séquelles neurologiques, ce qui incluait une forme ou une autre d'incapacité fonctionnelle, des symptômes sensoriels, des douleurs et un état de fatigue.

Objective Guillain‐Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute disease of the peripheral nerves and their roots. Quality of life (QoL) in the first year after acute episode of GBS is still underresearched area. The aim of our study was to investigate QoL in GBS patients during a 6‐month follow‐up period. Methods Multicentric, prospective study included 74 adult patients with GBS (54% males). GBS disability scale (GDS) was used to assess functional disability (severe disability GDS > 2), and Individualized Neuromuscular Quality of Life Questionnaire (INQoL) to asses QoL. Patients were tested on day 14, day 28, month 3, and month 6 from symptom onset. Results Disability as measured by GDS improved during time (P < .01). INQoL scores also improved during time (P < .01) but were not able to differentiate between day 14 and day 28, and some scores also did not make difference between month 3 and 6 (pain, social relations, emotions and total INQoL score; P > .05). Pooled GDS scores correlated with pooled INQoL scores, especially with independence, activities, and weakness subscores (P < .01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that GDS at day 14 (β = .52, P < .01) and fatigue score at day 14 (β = .41, P < .01) were independent predictors of the worse GDS at month 6 (adjusted R2 = .34, P < .01 for overall model). Conclusions During a 6‐month follow‐up period of GBS patients, we observed a gradual recovery of patients' disability and QoL. Our study confirms the importance of patient‐reported outcomes and their ability to capture some important issues that are omitted by classic ability measures such as GDS.

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