Abstract
Objective Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a rare acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, resulting in loss of muscle function and potentially respiratory failure requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Data describing the demographics and outcomes of patients with severe GBS requiring prolonged ventilation in the long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) setting is limited. We hypothesized that patients with GBS requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation require longer lengths of stay in an LTACH and are discharged with poorer functional status than GBS patients who do not require mechanical ventilation. Design, Setting, and Participants We conducted a retrospective study of GBS patients admitted over a 9-year period at an independent, large LTACH and compared ventilated versus non-ventilated GBS patients’ lengths of stay and functional ability at the time of admission and discharge. Interventions Not Applicable Main Outcome Measures and Results We found no significant difference in mean (standard error of means) lengths of stay between ventilated and non-ventilated GBS patients admitted to an LTACH (48.4 (± 8.0) vs. 38.8 (± 5.7) days, P 0.37). We also found that ventilated patients with GBS were discharged from an LTACH with similar functional ability than non-ventilated GBS patients (4.5 vs. 4.0, P 0.43 on 10 ft walk; 4.7 vs. 4.5 on P 0.70; 5.0 vs. 4.2, P 0.21 on 150 ft walk). Conclusion These findings suggest that GBS patients suffering from prolonged mechanical ventilation may expect similar lengths of stay in an LTACH as non-ventilated GBS patients and a similar or greater rate of functional improvement during their stay. These data support admission of chronically ventilated GBS patients to an LTACH for ongoing care after their acute care without the anticipation of greater length of stay or less rehabilitation outcomes with respect to non-ventilated GBS patients. Keywords: Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Assisted Ventilation, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, LTACH, Critical Care