Guillain-Barré syndrome epidemiology and demographics


 * Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]

Overview
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute, autoimmune, polyradiculoneuropathy affecting the peripheral nervous system, usually triggered by an acute infectious process. The incidence is approximately 1.2 - 3 / 100,000 persons per year across the world. It is commoner in males compared to female and has two peaks (15-35 years and 50-75 years). Incidence is similar across different races.

USA

 * It is the commonest cause of acute, flaccid paralysis in USA.
 * Incidence- 1.2 - 3 / 100,000 persons ,

International

 * It has been reported all over the world.
 * The incidence is around 1.5 - 3 / 100,000 persons
 * The antecedence of Campylobacter jejuni is commoner in Japan and other Asian countries. Whereas, in American continents and European nations an antecedence of cytomegalovirus is common.

Age

 * Incidence increases with age.
 * Bimodal distribution - First peak during 15 - 35 yrs and second during old age.
 * New-borns and infants have the least risks of development of GBS

Race

 * Incidence is similar across different races.

Gender

 * It occurs more commonly in males compared to females. Male to female ratio 1.5:1
 * The incidence has been found to increase post-partum and decreases during pregnancy