Original research: Second IVIg course in Guillain-Barré syndrome with poor prognosis: the non-randomised ISID study.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare disease course in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with a poor prognosis who were treated with one or with two intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) courses.

METHODS: From the International GBS Outcome Study, we selected patients whose modified Erasmus GBS Outcome Score at week 1 predicted a poor prognosis. We compared those treated with one IVIg course to those treated with two IVIg courses. The primary endpoint, the GBS disability scale at 4 weeks, was assessed with multivariable ordinal regression.

RESULTS: Of 237 eligible patients, 199 patients received a single IVIg course. Twenty patients received an 'early' second IVIg course (1-2 weeks after start of the first IVIg course) and 18 patients a 'late' second IVIg course (2-4 weeks after start of IVIg). At baseline and 1 week, those receiving two IVIg courses were more disabled than those receiving one course. Compared with the one course group, the adjusted OR for a better GBS disability score at 4 weeks was 0.70 (95%CI 0.16 to 3.04) for the early group and 0.66 (95%CI 0.18 to 2.50) for the late group. The secondary endpoints were not in favour of a second IVIg course.

CONCLUSIONS: This observational study did not show better outcomes after a second IVIg course in GBS with poor prognosis. The study was limited by small numbers and baseline imbalances. Lack of improvement was likely an incentive to start a second IVIg course. A prospective randomised trial is needed to evaluate whether a second IVIg course improves outcome in GBS.

Medical Subject Headings

Adult; Aged; Disability Evaluation; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Guillain-Barre Syndrome; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Immunologic Factors; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

Publication Date

2-1-2020

Publication Title

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry

ISSN

1468-330X

Volume

91

Issue

2

First Page

113

Last Page

121

PubMed ID

31586949

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1136/jnnp-2019-321496

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