Abstract
Objective:: With COVID-19 vaccination campaign worldwide, associated Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is being increasingly reported from different countries. The objectives of the study were to observe the clinical profile and rehabilitation outcomes in patients with post-COVID-19 vaccine-associated GBS. Material and Method:: This prospective study was conducted in neurological rehabilitation unit with in-patients. A detailed customized rehabilitation program was formulated based on the clinical status and associated complications. Outcome measures were documented on the day of admission and at discharge and compared. Results:: The study included 16 patients (eight males) of which 15 (93.75%) received the CoviShield (AstraZeneca) and 1 Covaxin (Bharat Biotech) vaccine. The median (IQR) duration of first symptom was 9 (18.25) days and for motor symptoms 18 (12.75) days. Functional improvement was observed in patients using Barthel index scores and Hughes disability scores and overall neuropathy limitation scale. All rehabilitation outcomes showed a statistically significant improvement (P < 0.05) from the time of admission to discharge. At discharge, complete independence in activities of daily living was achieved in 4 (25%) patients and 5 (31.25%) were minimally dependent. Three (18.75%) patients were walking independently, seven (43.75%) with minimal support, and four with walker (25%). Nine (56.25%) patients needed bilateral ankle-foot orthosis and two bilateral knee gaiters for locomotion. Conclusion:: Comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation interventions in patients with post-COVID-19 vaccine-associated GBS result in significant functional recovery.
Copyright
Association for Helping Neurosurgical Sick People. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Derivative-Non Commercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit.
Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License, which permits unrestricted reproduction and distribution, for non-commercial purposes only; and use and reproduction, but not distribution, of adapted material for non-commercial purposes only, provided the original work is properly cited.
