Electrophysiological classification of Guillain-Barr? syndrome: analysis of 100 cases / 中华神经科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the electrophysiological and clinical features of various subtypes of Guillain Barr? syndrome (GBS). Methods The electrophysiological and clinical data of 100 cases with GBS admitted to Xijing Hospital from 1980 to 1999 were analyzed retrospectively. Correlations between varied subtypes and ages were examined by ? 2 test. Results Among the 100 patients with GBS, the demyelinating pattern was present in 51 patients, the axonal pattern in 25 patients, and 8 patients were inexcitable, 12 patients equivocal and 4 patients normal. The demyelinating pattern appeared as a major subtype not only in different age groups, but also in different test times after symptom onset. There was no statistically significant relationship between varied subtypes and ages. In the 100 patients, 32.0% suffered from a preceding upper respiratory infection, and 22.0% had a preceding gastrointestinal tract infection. The cases occurring in rural areas are almost in number equal to those in urban areas. That is, there was no a clear area distribution. Both demylinating and axonal GBS occurred throughout the year with a likely peak from July to September. Conclusion In the 100 patients with GBS admitted to Xijing Hospital, the demyelinating pattern was the major electrophysiological subtype. In addition, the electrophysiological and clinical features of various subtypes of GBS seemed to be different in some ways from those in the studies of both western countries and Li CY in northern China.