In Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), the EGOS (Erasmus GBS Outcome Scale) is used to predict outcomes. Which electrophysiological subtype is associated with the WORST short-term prognosis with slowest recovery?

• A Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP)
• B Acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) ✓
• C Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN)
• D Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS)

Explanation

AMSAN (acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy) involves destruction of both motor and sensory axons and has the worst prognosis of GBS subtypes — patients experience severe disability with slow, often incomplete recovery. AIDP (demyelinating form) accounts for 90% of Western cases and generally has good recovery as remyelination can occur. AMAN primarily involves motor axons with variable recovery (some rapid). Miller Fisher syndrome (anti-GQ1b, ophthalmoplegia-ataxia-areflexia) has an excellent prognosis.

Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.