title: A prospective study on the incidence and prognosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome in Emilia-Romagna region, Italy (1992-1993). Emilia-Romagna Study Group on Clinical and Epidemiological Problems in Neurology.
abstract: We performed a multicenter prospective study on the incidence and prognosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in the Emilia-Romagna region (3,909,512 inhabitants), Italy, over a 2-year period (1992-1993). The case finding method was based on a surveillance system including neurologic departments, all private and public general hospitals, and all practicing neurologists. We also reviewed all the ICD codes of hospital discharges. Ninety-four patients with GBS were identified, giving a mean incidence rate of 1.20 per 100,000 per year. Men/women ratio was 1.94. Incidence rate increased with age for both sexes. There were no significant incidence variations among seasons or months. Antecedent infections were reported in 59% of the patients. There was an overall good prognosis. After 6 months, 64% of patients had recovered and only 4% was still severely disabled. Acute mortality was 3%. Older age was the strongest predictor of poor outcome.
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous