Guillain-Barré syndrome in the northern area of Gran Canaria and the island of Lanzarote

• Published in: Revista de neurologiá Vol. 35; no. 8; pp. 705 - 710
• Main Authors: Aladro-Benito, Y, Conde-Sendin, M A, Muñoz-Fernández, C, Pérez-Correa, S, Alemany-Rodríguez, M J, Fiuza-Pérez, M D, Alamo-Santana, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 16-10-2002
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Atlantic Islands - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - complications; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - epidemiology; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - metabolism; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Paralysis - etiology; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - epidemiology; Prognosis; Respiration, Artificial; Respiratory Paralysis - etiology; Respiratory Paralysis - therapy; Retrospective Studies; Seasons; Severity of Illness Index; Virus Diseases - complications; Atlantic Islands
• ISSN: 0210-0010

The objective of this study is to analyse the incidence and clinical characteristics of Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) in the Canary Islands.
We conducted a retrospective study of GBS patients (according to diagnostic criteria from the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke) treated in the Ntra. Sra. del Pino Hospital in Gran Canaria between 1983 and 1998. Annual incidence, seasonal distribution, preceding infection, clinical and electrophysiological data, and evolution were all evaluated. Prognostic factors were studied by means of a univariate analysis.
A total of 81 patients were selected for the study. The raw incidence was 1.04/100,000 inhab./year (CI 95%: 0.83 1.29; adjusted for age to the European population: 1.5). The rates of incidence were higher in men and increased lineally with age in both sexes. We observed an upward tendency during the winter months. 48% of the patients displayed serious motor deficits in the nadir of the disease, and 17.8% required assisted ventilation. After one year s evolution 74% were seen to experience an excellent recovery. The mortality rate was 8.2% and 37% received immunomodulatory treatment. The main variables associated with a bad prognosis at 3 and 12 months were: serious deficits in muscular balance, the need for assisted ventilation and very reduced amplitude of evoked motor potential.
GBS incidence in the Canary Islands is similar to that found in other countries. An increase with age and an upward tendency during the winter months was observed. No differences were found in the clinical data as compared with other series.