Takeaway
Within the first 6 months, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) confers a 6.6-fold increased risk of death compared to the general population; however, after 4 years, mortality rates are similar between people with GBS and the general population.
Why this matters
GBS is a life-threatening polyradiculoneuropathy with an acute case fatality rate of 1–13%.
Long-term clinical impacts of GBS have been described, and can include pain, fatigue, and mobility problems. However, understanding of intermediate- and long-term mortality outcomes in GBS survivors is limited.