Legal teams and case managers supporting clients with Guillain-Barre syndrome should be aware of the many ways the complex range of symptoms can adversely affect the quality of a person’s life, and the expertise a skilled medico-legal expert can bring to a case.

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is a medical condition where an individual experiences symptoms of muscle weakness that are rapid in onset and frequently severe.

What is Guillain–Barre syndrome?

GBS is caused by a malfunction in the person’s own immune system that attacks the peripheral nervous system. The exact cause of the onset of this autoimmune attack is unknown but the illness is usually triggered by an episode of flu, or a gastrointestinal or respiratory infection triggered by Epstein Barr virus (EBV).

GBS symptoms include changes in sensation, pain or muscle weakness and tingling, starting in the hands and feet. This often spreads to the arms and moves upwards towards the upper part of the body on both sides. The symptoms can develop over hours to a few weeks and may include pain, prickling sensations, weakness, a rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, difficulty with the control of bladder and bowel. As the disease progresses, the muscle weakness evolves into the paralysis of the muscles spreading from the lower to the upper half of the body. During the acute phase of the disease, GBS can be life-threatening. About 15% of those suffering from GBS develop weakness of the muscles involved in controlling breathing movements, which leaves them at risk of experiencing respiratory distress.

This emergency condition requires prompt hospitalisation and temporary support from a ventilator machine until the acute episode subsides. Some patients can be affected by changes in the function of the autonomic nervous system, which can lead to abnormalities in the heart rate and rapid and wide fluctuations in the blood pressure. Because of this uncontrolled, irregular rise and fall in blood pressure, these individuals may also require immediate hospital treatment.

In the acute phase, the muscle weakness and paralysis can be of such great intensity that many patients find it difficult to walk, transfer from one spot to another, sit, feed themselves or go to the toilet without assistance. This inability and dependency may last weeks or months before recovery starts.

During the acute phase of the disease, Guillain–Barré syndrome can be life-threatening. About 15% of those suffering from GBS develop weakness of the muscles involved in controlling breathing movements, which leaves them at risk of experiencing respiratory distress.

This emergency condition requires prompt hospitalisation and temporary support from a ventilator machine until the acute episode subsides. Some patients can be affected by changes in the function of the autonomic nervous system, which can lead to abnormalities in the heart rate and rapid and wide fluctuations in the blood pressure. Because of this uncontrolled, irregular rise and fall in blood pressure, these individuals may also require immediate hospital treatment.

In the acute phase, the muscle weakness and paralysis can be of such great intensity that many patients find it difficult to walk, transfer from one spot to another, sit, feed themselves or go to the toilet without assistance. This inability and dependency may last weeks or months before recovery starts.

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NRC Medical Experts believe that individuals living with the debilitating complications of GBS should be offered neurorehabilitation to reduce the impact on their quality of life. The GBS specialists at NRC Medical Experts assess, evaluate and produce high-quality court reports and expert witness testimony to support legal teams to build the best case for your client.