• Source:JND
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Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease that typically occurs a few weeks after a viral infection, leading to paralysis of all four limbs and, in some cases, affecting the respiratory and swallowing muscles. In a conversation, Dr. Ashish Gosar, a neurologist at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, discussed why rare diseases like GBS are becoming increasingly common.

Factors Contributing To The Rise In GBS Cases

Several factors have led to the increasing prevalence of this condition:

  1. Environmental Factors: Poor hygiene, unsafe drinking water, crowded localities, and public transportation increase the risk of infections. In response, the immune system may mount an extreme reaction, leading to GBS.
  2. Economic Factors: Limited resources and lower-income communities are more prone to developing this condition due to inadequate healthcare access.
  3. Health Awareness: Improved awareness has led to better case identification, whereas such cases may have previously gone unnoticed.
  4. Affected Demographics: GBS affects individuals across all age groups and genders. However, its presentation is sometimes atypical, differing from the classic pattern of ascending paralysis, which usually starts in the legs and progresses upward.

Severity And Progression Of GBS

  1. Younger patients, those with early cranial nerve involvement (such as difficulty swallowing and double vision), and those with upper limb weakness at the onset tend to progress more rapidly.
  2. Such patients may require ventilatory support due to respiratory muscle weakness.
  3. Recently, an increase in viral infections among the general population has led to a rise in GBS cases, with some patients developing symptoms 2-3 weeks after infection.
  4. Gastrointestinal infections can also trigger GBS within 2-3 weeks, making it essential to avoid roadside and contaminated food to reduce the risk of this debilitating disease.

Treatment And Prevention

  1. Treatment involves intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or plasmapheresis to prevent symptom progression, followed by aggressive physiotherapy for recovery.
  2. Patients with pre-existing autoimmune disorders are more susceptible to GBS.
  3. Currently, there is no definite vaccine for GBS. The best prevention strategy is to avoid infections, particularly upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections, by maintaining good hygiene and safe food practices.