Relationship between sympathetic skin response and RR interval variation with the prognosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an inflammatory disorder causing severe disability and death. The sympathetic skin response (SSR) and RR interval variability are non-invasive tests that measure autonomic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of SSR and RR interval variation with prognosis in patients with GBS in Isfahan, Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed 32 patients with GBS in Iran between 2023 and 2024. Patients underwent EMG-NCV during their hospitalization, measuring SSR and RR interval variation. Patients' GBS disability scores were calculated and recorded on the day of hospital discharge and one month after. Gender distribution, types of GBS, intubation status, length of ICU and ward stay, GBS disability scores, and plasmapheresis volume are also compared. RESULTS: In 19 patients (59.3), both SSR and RR interval variability were abnormal. There were no statistically significant differences between patients with and without autonomic dysfunction (AD) for the variables compared. There were no significant differences between groups with normal and abnormal SSR and between groups with normal and abnormal RR interval variation. Age and intubation status significantly affect GBS disability scores at discharge and one month after discharge, while gender does not significantly impact any outcomes. Many variables, such as age, gender, type of GBS, intubation status, and lengths of stay, do not show significant differences between the compared groups based on AD, SSR, and RR interval variability. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the lack of correlation between AD, SSR, and RR interval variation in patients with GBS.