NEW YORK, Oct. 18 (UPI) — A new study indicates that COVID-19 is associated with an elevated risk of a rare disorder, Guillain-Barré syndrome, within six weeks after infection with the virus.
The study, published online in the journal Neurology, reveals this association and highlights the importance of understanding the potential risks of COVID-19. The researchers conducted the study in Israel and discovered that individuals who received the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine were less likely to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome compared to those who contracted COVID-19 but did not receive the vaccine.
Guillain-Barré syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that affects nerve cells and can lead to paralysis. Although it can be life-threatening, most people recover with minimal complications. The exact cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome is unknown, but it can occur after respiratory or gastrointestinal infections.
This syndrome typically affects 20 out of every 1 million people per year and rarely occurs as a result of certain vaccinations. Dr. Anat Arbel, the corresponding author of the study, noticed an increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome cases during the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine rollout in Israel, motivating the researchers to investigate the association between the syndrome and both COVID-19 infection and vaccination.
The findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, is linked to an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome, while the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is associated with a decreased risk. These results emphasize the benefits of ongoing vaccination programs with mRNA-based vaccines and have significant implications for clinical and public health strategies.
The study involved over 3 million individuals in Israel without a previous Guillain-Barré diagnosis. Researchers followed these participants from January 2021 to June 2022 and identified 76 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Each person with the syndrome was matched with 10 individuals who did not have it for comparison. The researchers then analyzed whether the participants had COVID-19 infections or COVID-19 vaccinations within the six weeks preceding Guillain-Barré diagnosis.
The results revealed that individuals with recent COVID-19 infections were six times more likely to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome than those without recent infections. Approximately 12% of individuals with Guillain-Barré had a recent COVID-19 infection, compared to 2% of individuals without the syndrome. Additionally, 11% of those with Guillain-Barré had received the mRNA vaccine, while 18% of those without the syndrome had been vaccinated.
Although the study only shows an association and cannot prove causation or prevention, it provides valuable insights. Dr. Senda Ajroud-Driss, a neuromuscular disease specialist, points out that Guillain-Barré syndrome often follows respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infections, making the increased risk among COVID-19 patients expected. It is essential to interpret these results cautiously and recommend COVID-19 vaccination, as patients who receive mRNA vaccines tend to experience less severe COVID-19 symptoms and have lower risks of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
The association identified between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome is significant for patient assessment and counseling. This knowledge can help healthcare professionals make informed decisions and guide patients accordingly. The study’s results confirm that infection with COVID-19 poses a greater risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome compared to vaccination. The research calls for further investigation and research to establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome and determine the preventive measures needed.
Ensuring public safety and minimizing the occurrence of severe neurological complications like Guillain-Barré syndrome is crucial. Dr. Eelco Wijdicks, a neuro-intensivist and professor of neurology, recommends vaccination as a preventative measure against Guillain-Barré syndrome and other neurological complications.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
