Epidemiology of Guillain‐Barré syndrome in Finland 2004–2014

Abstract

At total mean incidence of 0.84-1.1/100,000 the occurrence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is reported to be low in Finland compared to other Caucasian populations. However, a recent study from Southwestern Finland reported an incidence of 1.82/100,000 which is comparable to other Caucasian populations. We analyzed discharge data covering the years 2004 through 2014 on all neurological admissions in all Finnish university and central hospitals with a primary diagnosis of GBS. A total of 989 admissions due to GBS (917 individuals) were identified. The standardized (European population) annual incidence rate was 1.70/100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval 1.60-1.81). GBS incidence had an increasing trend with age. The likelihood of GBS was higher among girls and adolescent women than boys and men of same age (male:female incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.56), while in the older age groups (>19 years) the occurrence of GBS was higher among males than females (male:female IRR 1.59). The incidence of GBS remained stable during the study period. There was no seasonal variation in GBS admission frequencies (p = 0.28). No significant effect of the 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza or vaccination against it for GBS occurrence was observed. We suggest that GBS is as common, and has similar age-distribution in Finland as in other European countries. Sex-associated susceptibility for GBS appears to be different in children-adolescents and adults.

<p>Prevalence and outcomes of Guillain-Barr&eacute; syndrome among pediatrics in Saudi Arabia: a 10-year retrospective study</p>

“…A 10-year study showed that 2.1/100,000 acute paralysis cases were GBS, of which the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1 24. Furthermore, the incidence of GBS among males increased by 28% and among women increased by 14%, for every 10-year increment of age 24. Findings in this setting were similar to previous studies that showed a higher incidence among males 4,30…”

“…The average age of children who complained of GBS in this setting was 8.59±4.99 years, which was slightly higher than that reported in the literature 28. A 10-year study showed that 2.1/100,000 acute paralysis cases were GBS, of which the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1 24. Furthermore, the incidence of GBS among males increased by 28% and among women increased by 14%, for every 10-year increment of age 24.…”

“…The most affected age group among pediatrics was among those 1–4 years old 23. The European population-based annual incidence rate was 1.70/100,000 persons 24. One study targeting children of age <16 years showed an annual incidence of 0.4/100,000 1.…”

Incidence of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Is Not Associated with Influenza Vaccination in the Elderly

“…Because of this, it is likely that GBS is more easily detected in Korea, which has relatively good health accessibility given the universal health insurance system operated by the government [35]. The incidence ratio of males to females in this study (1.5) is similar to the ratio of 1.8 reported in previous studies [36]. Male predominance in the incidence of GBS is a well-known phenomenon, but the cause is still unclear [11].…”

The effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide in the rat model of experimental autoimmune neuritis and the implications for treatment of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy or Guillain&ndash;Barr&eacute; syndrome

“…Worldwide, Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), also known as acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, is a neurological condition that can occur in otherwise healthy adults and at any age, with a reported incidence of 1–4 per 100,000 individuals. 1 , 2 Owing to the improvements in the diagnosis of GBS, the disease has been shown to have an increasing incidence rate. 3 , 4 Also, although immunoglobulin and plasma therapy have shortened the recovery time for the GBS, patients with GBS still have a mortality rate of 2%–8%, and ~20% of patients with GBS will not recover completely, but will have long-term neurological sequelae.…”