The Role of Serum Albumin as a Prognostic Marker in Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Systematic Review
In brief
Low serum albumin on admission predicts worse disability in Guillain-Barre patients
A systematic review of 15 studies involving 1,441 Guillain-Barre patients found that lower albumin levels at admission and follow-up were consistently linked to higher disability scores, weaker muscle strength, and greater need for mechanical ventilation. The finding suggests albumin could aid early risk stratification, although prospective validation is still required.
- Journal
- Journal of inflammation research (Q2)
- Published
- 5 August 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Vivien Puspitasari, Yang Yang Endro Arjuna, Alexander Erick Purnomo, Yusak Mangara Tua Siahaan
- PMID
- 42572729
- DOI
- 10.2147/JIR.S593479
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Biochemistry (medical) (top studies of the week, 16 August 2026): Lower albumin strongly associated with higher GBS disability scores
Abstract
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated neuropathy typically triggered by infection. Prognosis is primarily based on clinical features and established scoring systems. Serum albumin, a biomarker reduced in systemic inflammation, has demonstrated prognostic value in various conditions. This study aims to investigate the correlation between serum albumin levels and clinical outcomes in patients with GBS. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and EuropePMC, covering all records up to April 2025. The search strategy included terms such as "Guillain-Barré Syndrome", "Albumin", and "Outcome" along with relevant MeSH terms. Studies eligible for inclusion were cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating the association between serum albumin levels and GBS. Primary outcome was GBS disability scores (GBS-DS), with secondary outcomes including Medical Research Council (MRC) scores and the need for mechanical ventilation (MV). Risk of bias was assessed using Risk of Bias of Non-Randomized Study of Exposure (ROBINS-E). Fifteen studies including 1,441 patients met the criteria for inclusion. Lower albumin levels at both admission and follow-up were strongly associated with higher GBS scores, lower MRC scores, and the necessity for mechanical ventilation. Conversely, elevated albumin levels correlated with better clinical outcomes. According to the ROBINS-E assessment, four studies were rated as having a "some concerns" risk of bias, while the remaining eleven studies were considered low risk. Serum albumin concentration is a useful prognostic indicator in patients with GBS, with lower levels significantly associated with poorer clinical outcomes.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.