A Review of Mental Health Outcomes in Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Meng Fei Li1, Stanley Wong3, Nicholas Fabiano4, Carol Li5, Alla Iansavitchene2, Michael Nicolle1
1Clinical Neurological Sciences, 2Library Services, London Health Sciences Centre, 3Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 4Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, 5Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University
Objective:
To examine the frequency and risk of mental health disorders in patients with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP).
Background:
Patients with GBS and CIDP have significant disabilities that impact their physical and mental health. While the physical manifestations of these diseases are closely monitored, mental health assessments in patients with GBS and CIDP are less frequently prioritized in routine care. Consequently, the burden of mental health diagnoses in this population is not well established.
Design/Methods:
We conducted a literature search to identify primary studies that reported mental health outcomes in patients with GBS and CIDP using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. We included studies from inception until November 1, 2023. Two authors independently performed screening, full-text review, data extraction and quality assessments; discrepancies were then resolved by a third party. The systematic review adhered to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO.
Results:
Among 2,077 screened abstracts, 19 studies were included. Only 3 studies reported mental health diagnoses using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and/or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). In patients with GBS, up to 82% were diagnosed with anxiety, 67% with depression, and 22% with post-traumatic stress disorders. In patients with CIDP, 30-75% of patients experienced mental health symptoms, but no studies reported mental health diagnoses. Patients with GBS and CIDP were at increased risk of anxiety and depression (HR 4.00–7.52).
Conclusions:
Many patients with GBS and CIDP experience mental health symptoms, but the paucity of literature suggests that mental health disorders are underdiagnosed in this population. Patients with GBS and active CIDP were at higher risk of developing mental health disorders, thereby emphasizing the need for early mental health care and assessment in these patients.
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