According to the Spring 2002 Newsletter from the Guillain-Barre' Syndrome Foundation International, in an article by P.K. Doyle, M.D. Professor of Neurology and Director, at Stony Brook MS Comprehensive Care Center, SUNY at Stony Brook, New York:

"Guillain-Barre' Syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated disorder of the peripheral nervous system.  The immune system attacks spinal nerve roots, peripheral nerves, and cranial nerves, resulting in focal inflammation, with variable damage to myelin sheaths and axon fibers.  GBS is the most common acute neuropathy of adults, and occurs worldwide at an incidence of 1 to 2 cases per 100,000 annually (El-Sabrout et al, 2001).  It is slightly more common in men, by a ratio of 1.3 to 1.

"GBS affects all ages, with peaks among young adults and the elderly.  The classical clinical picture is that of an acute ascending paralysis, with depressed/lost deep tendon reflexes, facial weakness, and minimal sensory loss (Asbury, 1981).  Involvement of autonomic nerves can result in life-threatening fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate, and severe cases can develop respiratory failure requiring artificial ventilation.

"GBS can develop very rapidly, over hours to days, but always reaches its worst stage within 4 weeks.  Although the vast majority of patients recover, 10% are left severely disabled.  Worse prognosis is associated with more severe disease, older age, and very abnormal electro diagnostic studies.

"The mortality rate of 3% to 8% reflects autonomic and respiratory problems, and indicates that all but the mildest cases should be monitored in an intensive care setting.  For patients on a respirator, the mortality rate is even higher (15% to 30%). 

"GBS is typically monophasic [it only occurs once in a patient's lifetime], but 3% of cases experience relapses."