Guillain-Barré syndrome overview: Difference between revisions
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==Epidemiology and demographics== | ==Epidemiology and demographics== | ||
The incidence is approximately 1.2 - 3 / 100,000 persons per year across the world. It is commoner in males compared to female and has two peaks (15-35 years and 50-75 years). Incidence is similar across different races. | The incidence is approximately 1.2 - 3 / 100,000 persons per year across the world. It is commoner in males compared to female and has two peaks (15-35 years and 50-75 years). Incidence is similar across different races. | ||
==Risk factors== | |||
Anyone can develop GBS; however, it is more common among older adults. The incidence of GBS increases with age, and people older than 50 years are at greatest risk for developing GBS. Since 1976, many studies have been done to see if other [[flu vaccines]] may cause GBS. In most studies no link was found between the flu vaccine and GBS. For the most part, the chance of getting very ill from flu is far higher than the chance of getting GBS after getting the '''flu vaccine'''. | |||
==Natural history, complications and prognosis== | ==Natural history, complications and prognosis== | ||
Revision as of 02:39, 21 February 2012
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [2]
Overview
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute, autoimmune, polyradiculoneuropathy affecting the peripheral nervous system, usually triggered by an acute infectious process. It is included in the wider group of peripheral neuropathies.
Historical perspective
It was first reported by Landry in 1859 as a case study of 10 patients with ascending paralysis. Later the characteristic features of the disease like flaccid paralysis, areflexia and CSF findings were reported by Guillain, Barré, and Strohl. The syndrome was later named Guillain-Barré syndrome after these physicians.
Pathophysiology
It involves an auto-immune mechanism in which the antibodies formed against the lipopolysaccharides of bacteria or certain vaccines cross reacts with the gangliosides present in myelin of peripheral nerves. As a result of which, myelin degeneration occurs leading to conduction defects that manifests as flaccid paralysis.
Epidemiology and demographics
The incidence is approximately 1.2 - 3 / 100,000 persons per year across the world. It is commoner in males compared to female and has two peaks (15-35 years and 50-75 years). Incidence is similar across different races.
Risk factors
Anyone can develop GBS; however, it is more common among older adults. The incidence of GBS increases with age, and people older than 50 years are at greatest risk for developing GBS. Since 1976, many studies have been done to see if other flu vaccines may cause GBS. In most studies no link was found between the flu vaccine and GBS. For the most part, the chance of getting very ill from flu is far higher than the chance of getting GBS after getting the flu vaccine.
Natural history, complications and prognosis
Approximately 80% of patients have a complete recovery within a few months to a year, although minor findings may persist. A patient's outcome is most likely to be very good when the symptoms go away within 3 weeks after they first started. Complications like paralysis, respiratory failure and hypotension can be seen in these patients.