Abstract: Objective To investigate hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), we discussed whether HBV infection was a short-term poor prognostic factor for GBS, based on the association between these two diseases. Methods This retrospective study included 115 patients hospitalized with GBS in the department of neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2010 and December 2019. During the same period, 150 patients with non-GBS in the same department were selected as the control group.Five items of HBV were tested. We analyzed HBV infection and its correlation with the outcome of patients with GBS.We also collected data of the time from symptom onset to hospital admission, hospital inpatient days, history of pre-infection, limb muscle strength at the time of admission and discharge, blood biochemical indicators and outcomes etc..Statistical analysis of risk factors for affecting the prognosis of patients was performed. Results The positive rate of HBcAb in GBS patient group (52.2%) was higher than that in control group (37.3%). The proportion of patients with lower Medical Research Council (MRC) score and poor prognosis in positive HBcAb group was significantly higher than that in negative HBcAb group, with statistical differences (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis in patients with poor prognosis showed that HBV infection, respiratory paralysis and lower MRC score were independent risk factors for affecting short-term prognosis of patients with GBS. Conclusion This study found that the positive rate of HBV infection in GBS patients was higher, and HBV infection was associated with the occurrence and short-term prognosis of GBS.

Key words: Guillain Barre Syndrome, Hepatitis B virus, Infection