SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations reduce the prevalence of post-COVID Guillain-Barre syndrome

Abstract

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) has been repeatedly reported as a neurological complication of COVID-19 (post-COVID GBS [PCG]). Whether the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines reduced the prevalence of PCG is unknown. This narrative review aimed to compare the number of published PCG cases between the second half of 2020 (no vaccination available) with those of the first half of 2021 (vaccination available). A total of 124 articles reported 300 patients with PCG between January 2020 and June 2021. The ages ranged from 7 to 94y. There was male dominance. The latency between the onset of COVID-19 and the onset of PCG ranged from -10 to 90d Acute, inflammatory, demyelinating polyneuropathy was diagnosed in 171 patients, acute, motor axonal neuropathy in 24, and acute, motor, and sensory axonal neuropathy in 16 patients. Regarding treatment, 241 patients received immunoglobulins, 28 patients’ plasmaphereses, and 7 patients' steroids. Artificial ventilation was required in 59 patients. Full recovery was achieved in 42 cases, partial recovery in 163 cases, and 17 patients died. The number of published PCG patients fell from 192 in the second half of 2020 to 75 patients in the first half of 2021. It is concluded that the prevalence of PCG has decreased since the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations have a positive effect on the prevalence of PCG.