Guillain-Barré syndrome in northern Tanzania: a comparison of epidemiological and clinical findings with western Norway

Abstract

To study Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), the clinical files of GBS patients, 59 in northern Tanzania (1984-1992) and 56 in western Norway (1980-1992), were retrospectively reviewed and compared. The average annual incidence rate for GBS in the Kilimanjaro region was 0.83/100,000 population as compared to 1.2/100,000 reported in western Norway (25). GBS patients in the Tanzanian series were younger, had less antecedent infection and were a longer time interval from onset to admission and in hospital. On examination arm and sensory involvement were less common and urinary sphincteric involvement more common in the Tanzanian series. The overall mortality rate was higher in the Tanzanian series, 15.3% (9/59) versus 1.8% (1/56). HIV infection was found in 30.5% (11/36) of GBS patients in the Tanzanian series as compared to 3.4% (161/4687) in corresponding blood donors. There was no evidence of HIV infection in the Norwegian series. The HIV-seropositive GBS patients in comparison with HIV seronegatives had a shorter duration of onset, greater neurological involvement and a higher mortality rate, 45.5% (5/11) versus 16% (4/21). This study shows that apart from minor clinical differences and an increased mortality rate in the Tanzanian series GBS was similar in both series. GBS in the Tanzanian series was strongly associated with HIV infection, and seropositives by comparison with seronegatives appeared to have more severe disease.