Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Guillain-Barré syndrome during the 2019 outbreak in a hospital in Chiclayo, Peru

Cueva-Ortega L.; Montenegro-Castro D.C.; Silva-Diaz H. · Horizonte Medico (2025) · DOI: 10.24265/horizmed.2025.v25n1.10

Resumen

The objective is to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) during the 2019 outbreak in patients treated in a hospital in Chiclayo, Lambayeque, Peru. This is a descriptive and retrospective study conducted on 36 cases. Data were collected through a documentary analysis of clinical-epidemiological surveillance research forms for GBS, provided by the Ministry of Health. The sample was characterized by a median age of 46.05 years, a predominance of male sex (69.40 %) and an origin from Lambayeque (66.70 %). Additionally, 19.40 % of patients had chronic diseases, and the most frequent conditions found in their medical history were respiratory infections (45.50 %) and gastrointestinal infections (36.40 %). The clinical presentation was characterized by weakness (97.20 %), ascending paralysis (72.20 %), paresis of the left facial nerve (8.30 %), hyporeflexia (91.70 %) and decreased muscle tone (47.20 %). We conclude that male sex, an age between 30 and 59 years and a history of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections were the predominant epidemiological characteristics of GBS in this outbreak; while weakness, ascending paralysis, pain and hyporeflexia were among the most common clinical characteristics. Active surveillance and the strengthening of preventive and care capacities for this disease are recommended. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad de San Martín de Porres