Clinical and electrophysiological features of Guillain-Barre syndrome in northeast China

Objective To describe clinical,electrophysiological,and therapeutic features of Guillain-Barre syndrome( GBS) in Northeast China. Methods The clinical and electrophysiological data were collected and reviewed retrospectively in 138 patients hospitalized for GBS. Results Analysis of age distribution revealed a high incidence among young adult patients. Gastroenteritis was the predominant previous infection. The initial and main symptom was hypotonic muscle weakness of the lower extremities,particularly,weakness in all four limbs simultaneously. Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy( AIDP) was the main subtype of GBS in Northeast China. Intravenous immunoglobulin( IVIg) was effective for patients beyond two weeks of symptom onset and for mildly affected patients. Low compound muscle action potential( CMAP) amplitudes,abnormal H reflexes,and F waves were the main features of neurophysiological studies. In addition,no statistical differences in electrophysiological features were found between patients within seven days of onset,as well as 8 ~14 days and 14 days after GBS onset. Conclusion GBS in Northeast China has characteristic clinical and electrophysiological features. Early neurophysiological studies are helpful for diagnosis of GBS.