rheumatoid
William there is no real relationship between arthritis and GBS. As Racer says, many are initially misdiagnosed as ‘arthritis’. Rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis are very different disesases and don’t primarily affect the peripheral nervous system.
Rheumatoid typically affects the small joints, hands, feet and wrists. osteo the big ones like knees hips and shoulders. Rheumatoid usually has a positive rheumatoid factor blood test and a raised ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate, X-ray findings are typical of each type of arthritis.
GBS shows absent or reduced tendon reflexes and abnormal electrical conduction studies, the neuropathic pain can be excruciating and may lead to a mis-diagnosis. There is also muscle weakness and sensory loss. DocDavid