The Prevalence of Guillian-Barre Syndrome and the Rate of Physiotherapy Referral at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) which is a post-infective acute polyneuropathy has been known to rarely occur among Africans. It is considered the most disabling neurological condition after poliomyelitis. However, little has been reported on the extent of the problem of GBS in Zambia. Hence the main aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of GBS and rate of physiotherapy referral among the patients that were seen at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) between the years 2011-2013. Data was collected retrospectively from clinical files of patients that were treated in the department of internal medicine during the review period using a checklist. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used for descriptive analysis. Out of 26, 776 new medical cases that were treated in the period under review only 31 cases had GBS giving a period prevalence of 0.116%. The mean age for cases was 33.6 years (SD: 12.9) with the majority 50% (n=16) age range being 18 to 28 years. The most common type of GBS 61% (n=19) was Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (AIDP) and the commonest predisposing factor 42% (n=13) was HIV/AIDS. There were more males than females at a ratio of 1.8:1. Most of the patients 68% (n=21) had not been referred to physiotherapy. GBS is becoming a common problem because of a rising prevalence since the advent of HIV/AIDS. Rate of physiotherapy referral among the cases is very low. It is highly recommended that another study on prevalence of GBS be done over a longer period to include other hospitals in Zambia. Physiotherapists in Zambia are also challenged to provide evidence on the impact of the interventions given in GBS management.