Readmissions After Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Nationally Representative Data

J Clin Neuromuscul Dis. 2021 Jun 1;22(4):183-191. doi: 10.1097/CND.0000000000000319.

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to obtain nationally representative data on hospital readmission rates after Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS).

Methods: International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision codes from the 2013 National Readmissions Database identified adult GBS admissions, comorbidities, and readmission diagnoses. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) for readmission.

Results: Of 2109 GBS admissions identified, 20.8% were readmitted within 1 year and 12.2% within 30 days. Age did not predict readmission. Plasmapheresis use showed a nonsignificant trend toward readmission versus intravenous immunoglobulin use [OR 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-2.051, P = 0.050]. Respiratory failure (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.23-2.35, P = 0.0014), heart failure (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.25-3.66, P = 0.0057), and renal failure (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.20-3.32, P = 0.0078) predicted readmission. Top readmission diagnoses included GBS or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (42.0%) and sepsis (3.5%).

Conclusions: One-fifth of GBS patients were readmitted within 1 year. Comorbid illnesses and respiratory complications increased a readmission risk but age did not.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Comorbidity
  • Databases, Factual
  • Female
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Readmission / statistics & numerical data*
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • United States / epidemiology