Guillain-barre Syndrome in Indian Population: A Retrospective Study

To study clinical characteristics of various forms of Guillain-Barre syndrome in Indian adults.

The epidemiological, clinical, cerebrospinal fluid and electrophysiological data of 65 patients of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) were reviewed in a retrospective study.

Analysis of age distribution disclosed a high incidence (36.92%) in young adults between 18 to 29 years of age. Seasonal preponderance in winter and summer was found. Preceding events were identified in 22 (33.84%) cases. Motor weakness, areflexia, and facial weakness were the most common clinical features. Cerebrospinal fluid albuminocytological dissociation was present in 80% of patients. Utilising clinical and electrophysiological data, these 65 patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome were subclassified as acute demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy 17 (26.15%), axonal form 17 (26.15%), Fisher's syndrome 2 (3.07%)and ataxic variant 1(1.53). The remaining 28 (43.07%) patients were unclassified. 9(13.8%) patients had recurrent GBS. Only 5 (7.7%) patients required mechanical ventilation. Follow up available on 47 patients disclosed that all of them recovered satisfactorily. No patient was persistently disabled and no mortality occurred during hospitalization.

GBS in Indian population from northwest India showed peculiar age, seasonal distribution and high frequency of both AIDP and axonal subtypes. Both, axonal and demyelinating subtypes shared common clinical features and had good prognosis.