Guillain-Barré syndrome in Local Eastern China: a study of 595 patients.

Background To investigate geographical differences in clinical features of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) from local Eastern China and other areas. Methods A total of 595 patients fulfilling GBS and variants were included from two large hospitals located in Eastern China. Data collection included demographics, antecedent events, clinical presentation and signs, electrophysiological subtypes, treatment, complications during hospitalization, clinical severity at nadir and outcome at 12 months and were compared to the Southern China study and the Europe/Americas part of International GBS Outcome Study. Results The median age of patients was 50 years (interquartile range, 36-61 years), the ratio of males to females was 1.2 and 49% of patients had antecedent events. Patients in our area were pure motor predominant (158/340, 46%) and 30% (103/340) had complications during hospitalization. Patients over age 60 years had lower frequency of antecedent infections and axonal subtypes, but higher disability scores at entry, nadir, and 12 months. When compared with Europe/Americas, our patients had lower frequency of antecedent infection (46% versus 63%), cranial nerve involvement (43% versus 49%), sensory deficits (45% versus 69%), pain (19% versus 57%), and mechanical ventilation (11% versus 17%) but higher frequency of axonal subtype (35% versus 6%). There was higher frequency of patients with antecedent gastroenteritis (16% versus 8%), mechanical ventilation (11% versus 8%) and axonal subtypes (35% versus 19%) in our area than the Southern China. Conclusions Patients with GBS in local Eastern China showed significant clinical heterogeneity and differences when compared to other geographic areas.