The effect of gender on pain, hip muscle strength, fatigue and functionality in adults patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome Gender in Guillain Barre

Abstract

Aim: Patients with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBs) commonly suffer motor, sensorial and functional problems. Gender may be the determining factor in the symptoms of these patients. The present study was planned to investigate the effect of gender on the severity of pain, muscle strength, fatigue, and loss of function in patients with GBS. Material and Methods: Thirty-two adult patients with GBS (11 females, 21 male) were included in the study. Data on pain level, muscle strength, fatigue level, and functionality, which were assessed by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), manual muscle testing, Fatigue Severity Scale and Functional Independence Measures, respectively, were obtained from patient files retrospectively. Results: The mean age of the women was 55.90 +/- 11.97 years, the mean age of the men was 63.14 +/- 12.98 years. Bilateral hip extension strength of the women was significantly lower, while fatigue was significantly higher in men (p<0.05). No significant differences were detected in terms of other muscle strengths, pain level and functionality between the groups (p>0.05). Discussion: It seems that women tend to have greater muscle weakness, while men show higher levels of fatigue in GBS. According to our results, more emphasis should be given to the strengthening of hip muscles in female patients with GBS, while energy conservation techniques should be prioritized in male patients with GBS during treatment.