Influence of geomedical factors on Guillain-Barré syndrome incidence in the region of western Slovakia.
During 5-years of follow-up we identified 58 cases of the Guillain-Barré syndrome in the Western Slovakia (approximately 1,300,000 inhabitants). The incidence of this disease fluctuated between 0.4-1.9 cases per 100,000 persons likewise mentioned in the literature. It was interesting to analyse the influence of bioclimatic conditions. We found that while higher altitude, cold and humidity increased the incidence of the GBS, warm weather had the opposite (beneficial) effect. This phenomenon might be related to a higher incidence of upper respiratory tract infections, which probably induce the autoimmune related disease. (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 12.)
Varsik
P
P
1st Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Mickiewiczova 13, SK-813 69 Bratislava, Slovakia. traubner@hotmail.com
Traubner
P
P
Cernacek
J
J
Traubnerova
R
R
D002980:Climate; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008685:Meteorological Concepts; D018154:Slovakia / Q000453:epidemiology