title: The Guillain-Barré syndrome at two hospitals in Trinidad, West Indies: a review of 26 patients.
abstract: Over a four-year period, 26 consecutive patients with Guillain-Barrd syndrome (GBS) were seen. Their ages ranged from 18 months to 68 years. Fifteen were male and 11 female. The crude annual incidence was estimated to be 1.5 per 100,000 population. East Indians made up the majority of the patients. An antecedent infection was reported in 65% of patients. Significant pain was present in halfofthe cohort. F-wave abnormalities were the commonest electrophysiological disturbance. Twenty-nine per cent of patients required ventilation. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment was beneficial in 88% of patients. Eighty-four per cent made a complete or near complete recovery. One patient died.
authors.affiliation: The Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Champs Fleurs, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. neuroservices@gmail.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esack
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Teelucksingh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007155:Immunologic Factors