Optimization of Medical Nutrition Therapy in Malnourished Patients with Respiratory Disorders Due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Case Series

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute autoimmune disorder that can cause severe muscle weakness and respiratory complications requiring comprehensive care, including nutritional support. The hypermetabolic and hypercatabolic state induced by GBS increases the dietary needs of patients, making nutritional therapy an important component of the GBS patient care plan. To determine the results of respiratory disorder analysis in Guillain-Barré Syndrome patients receiving medical nutrition therapy. This is a case series study with a longitudinal, retrospective design involving patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) who received medical nutrition therapy. Medical nutrition therapy was optimal in all four cases. This was evident from monitoring of intake, which reached 100% of total energy requirements, and a positive nitrogen balance, indicating that protein intake in all four cases was optimal. Signs of inflammation improved, and respiratory disorders in all four cases were resolved. This study demonstrates that optimal medical nutrition therapy can reduce the risk of severe complications in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), particularly respiratory failure and prolonged mechanical ventilation use, especially in the AMAN variant. Medical nutrition therapy should be tailored to gastrointestinal tolerance and hemodynamics, and focus on providing sufficient calories and protein to prevent muscle wasting and support the recovery process. Patients with the AMAN variant of GBS have more severe respiratory disorders than those with the MFS variant. Optimal medical nutrition therapy in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome helps reduce the risk of respiratory failure and prolonged mechanical ventilator use, shortens hospital stay duration, and accelerates the rehabilitation process in both the AMAN and MFS variants.