Guillain-Barre Flashcards
what is GBS?
–autoimmune disorder
–myelin sheath is damaged by autoantibodies
what does the myelin sheath do?
–covers axons that carry nerve impulses away from the body
–helps impulse travel faster
onset of GBS
days to weeks following a viral infection
possible etiologies/triggers of GBS
–viral infection (resp. tract or GI)
–bacterial infection: Campylobacter jejuni (food borne)
–post surgical
flu vaccine
initial symptoms of GBS
weakness/tingling in lower extremities (travels up body)
how does GBS travel throughout the body?
initially travels up body and then healing travels down body
how quickly to symptoms become more severe with GBS?
increases over hours to weeks
is GBS life threatening?
potentially, if respiratory muscles are involved (may require mechanical ventilation)
additional symptoms of GBS
–uncoordinated movements
–numbness and decreased sensation
–loss of bowel/bladder control
–blurred vision
–difficulty, breathing, swallowing, chewing
is GBS curable?
no known cure
goal of pharm therapy with GBS?
reduce severity and accelerate recovery
pharm for GBS
–steroid therapy (acute phase)
–high-dose immunoglobulin therapy (IV)
purpose of high-dose IVIG
–shortens severity and duration of disease
–shortens length of hospital stay
GBS prognosis
–95% survive
–75% completely recover
–25-30% have residual weakness after 3 years
–about 3% may suffer relapse of muscle weakness and tingling many years post initial attack
