Evidence
This page contains a snapshot of featured content which highlights evidence addressing key clinical questions including areas of uncertainty. Please see the main topic reference list for details of all sources underpinning this topic.
BMJ Best Practice evidence tables
Evidence tables provide easily navigated layers of evidence in the context of specific clinical questions, using GRADE and a BMJ Best Practice Effectiveness rating. Follow the links at the bottom of the table, which go to the related evidence score in the main topic text, providing additional context for the clinical question. Find out more about our evidence tables.
This table is a summary of the analysis reported in a Cochrane Clinical Answer that focuses on the above important clinical question.
Confidence in the evidence is moderate or low to moderate where GRADE has been performed and there may be no difference in effectiveness between the intervention and comparison for key outcomes.
Population: Adults with Guillain-Barre syndrome
Intervention: Corticosteroids (oral prednisolone or intravenous methylprednisolone)
Comparison: Placebo or no treatment
| Outcome | Effectiveness (BMJ rating)? | Confidence in evidence (GRADE)? |
|---|---|---|
Disability grade change after four weeks | No statistically significant difference | Moderate |
Disability grade change after four weeks: oral regimens | Favours comparison | Very Low |
Disability grade change after four weeks: intravenous regimens | No statistically significant difference | Moderate |
Death or disability (inability to walk without aid) after one year | No statistically significant difference | Moderate |
Proportion of patients who relapsed during the first year | No statistically significant difference | GRADE assessment not performed for this outcome |
Adverse events: diabetes mellitus requiring insulin | Occurs more commonly with corticosteroids compared with placebo or no treatment (favours comparison) | High |
Adverse events: hypertension | Occurs more commonly with placebo or no treatment compared with corticosteroids (favours intervention) | High |
Other adverse events: new infection treated with antibiotics or gastrointestinal haemorrhage ᵃ | No statistically significant difference | GRADE assessment not performed for this outcome |
Note The Cochrane Clinical Answer (CCA) notes that adults with Guillain-Barre syndrome were given oral prednisone (4 RCTs, N=120) or intravenous methylprednisolone (2 RCTs, N=467). See the CCA for more information on the different dosing regimens. ᵃ Results reported narratively
This evidence table is related to the following section/s:
Cochrane Clinical Answers
Cochrane Clinical Answers (CCAs) provide a readable, digestible, clinically focused entry point to rigorous research from Cochrane systematic reviews. They are designed to be actionable and to inform decision making at the point of care and have been added to relevant sections of the main Best Practice text.
- What are the benefits and harms of corticosteroids in people with Guillain‐Barré syndrome?
- What are the benefits and harms of pharmacological treatment other than corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasma exchange for people with Guillain‐Barré syndrome?
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