Being infected with COVID-19 may raise a person's risk for Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare yet serious autoimmune disorder. In a new study, researchers found that the risk among COVID-19 patients was elevated within the first six weeks of infection with SARS-CoV-2. However, they noted that COVID-19 vaccination appears to offer some protection.
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a condition where the immune system attacks the nerves. Symptoms typically begin with weakness and tingling in the hands and feet, but can spread throughout the body and, in severe cases, progress to paralysis.
The study included 76 people diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome from January 2021 to June 2022 and 760 control subjects without the syndrome. Researchers found that participants with a recent COVID-19 infection were six times more likely to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome. However, those who had recently received an mRNA vaccine had 50% lower odds of being diagnosed with the disorder.
One study author emphasized that while Guillain-Barré syndrome is extremely rare, people should be aware that having a COVID-19 infection can increase their risk of developing the disorder, while receiving an mRNA vaccine can decrease their risk.
