Co‐occurrence of Guillain–Barre syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis in a young female: A case report from a low middle‐income country

Abstract

Key Clinical Message We present the case of an adult female who had rheumatoid arthritis at first but later tested positive for Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS). In symptomatic GBS patients (related to large joints), physicians (and therapists) should consider rheumatoid arthritis when risk factors are present. Abstract The co‐existence of GBS and other autoimmune disorders is uncommon. We present the case of an adult female who had rheumatoid arthritis at first but later tested positive for GBS. Further details are provided regarding the interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapy strategy that led to the patient's complete recovery. An adult female patient with rheumatoid arthritis presented with progressive weakness in her lower limbs, affecting her arm and causing numbness in her left hand and bilateral lower limbs. She has not passed stool for the last 2 days and has experienced gastroenteritis with watery, profuse diarrhea. On admission, the patient was awake, alert, and able to communicate. She had a thorough history of vital signs, with no signs of dehydration, jaundice, pallor, or edema. The patient's lower limbs were hypotonic and her upper limbs were normal. She experienced loss of sensation in her lower limbs, vibration, and proprioception. The patient's EMG‐NCS report indicated sensory and motor axonal neuropathy (AMSAN variant). Plasmapheresis sessions were finished in our patient, and a very good result was achieved. In symptomatic GBS patients (related to large joints), physicians (and therapists) should consider rheumatoid arthritis when risk factors are present. Appropriate clinical treatment, which includes prompt evaluation of alternate diagnoses in the case of therapeutic failure, can improve patient outcomes.

Keywords

• autoimmune disease
• case report
• GBS
• physiotherapy
• plasmapheresis
• rheumatoid arthritis