Guillain-Barré syndrome risk factors
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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. 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.
Risk factors
- Anyone can develop Guillain-Barré syndrome; 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.
- In 1976 there was a small increased risk of GBS following vaccination with an influenza vaccine made to protect against a swine flu virus.
- 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.
- However, two studies did suggest that about 1 more person out of 1 million people vaccinated with seasonal flu vaccine may develop GBS. This continues to be studied.
- The Institute of Medicine (IOM) conducted a thorough scientific review of this issue in 2003 and concluded that people who received the 1976 swine influenza vaccine had an increased risk for developing GBS.
- Scientists have multiple theories on why this increased risk may have occurred, but the exact reason for this association remains unknown.
- It is important to keep in mind that severe illness and death are associated with influenza, and vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza infection and its complications. 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