Inflammatory Biomarkers as Predictors of Disease Severity and Prognosis in Patients with Guillain–Barré Syndrome

Abstract

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is associated with complex immune and inflammatory responses that may influence disease severity and clinical outcomes. Easily obtainable blood-based inflammatory biomarkers have gained increasing attention because they reflect the balance between innate and adaptive immunity and may provide useful prognostic information. Among these markers, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are simple indices derived from routine complete blood counts and have been used as indicators of systemic inflammation. In GBS, elevated NLR has been associated with greater disability, poor prognosis, and respiratory failure, while increased PLR may reflect enhanced inflammatory activity and immune dysregulation. The leuko-glycemic index (LGI), which combines leukocyte count and blood glucose, may additionally reflect the interaction between systemic inflammation and metabolic stress, particularly in severe GBS and patients requiring ventilatory support. Therefore, these readily available biomarkers may have potential value in assessing clinical severity and prognosis in patients with GBS.