Relationship between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome: systematic review

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute peripheral neuropathy characterized by muscle weakness and paresthesia, which can lead to paralysis. Its association with viral infections has been widely studied. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some cases of GBS have been reported, highlighting the importance of understanding the connection between COVID-19 and GBS and its clinical impact. The objective of this systematic review is to analyze recent literature to determine whether there is a relationship regarding the clinical characteristics and possible pathogenic mechanisms of GBS associated with COVID-19. Searches were conducted in the Scielo and Google Scholar databases to identify accessible studies published between 2019 and 2024 that describe a possible relationship between COVID-19 and GBS. Studies were selected based on rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 30 articles meeting the established criteria were analyzed. The reviewed studies indicate that GBS may appear as a rare but significant complication in patients with COVID-19. While some articles suggest a possible association between COVID-19 and GBS, the exact pathogenic mechanism is not yet fully defined. Further research is needed to clarify this relationship and its clinical impact. Nonetheless, current findings highlight the importance of considering GBS in COVID-19 patients who develop neurological symptoms, as this could improve early diagnosis and the management of complications.