GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROME IN SOUTH-WEST STOCKHOLM, 1973-1991 .1. QUALITY OF REGISTERED HOSPITAL DIAGNOSES AND INCIDENCE

We describe the incidence and explore the quality of registered diagno sis for Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in a population-based retrospect ive study in South-West Stockholm (SWS), Sweden, during the period 197 3-1991. We used data on registered hospital discharges and open-care v isits, and from medical records. Medical records were available for 83 (80.6%) of 103 patients with registered GBS diagnosis at discharge fr om hospitals. For 69 (83.1%) of such patients, the information from th e hospital record fulfilled the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (NINCDS) clinical criteria for GBS . One out-patient presented with suspected GBS. In contrast, none of 4 0 patients discharged with diagnosis of unspecific polyneuropathy fulf illed the above mentioned criteria. During the period 1973-1991, the m ean annual incidence of GBS per 100000 was 1.74, 95% CI 1.41-2.12, fro m register data and 1.49, 95% CI 1.19-1.85, after excluding those not fulfilling criteria for GBS. The age-adjusted incidence after validati on was higher for men, 1.64, 95% CI 1.19-2.21, than for women, 1.46, 9 5% CI 1.05-1.99. An increasing incidence with age was found, presentin g the age-specific curve a bimodal shape. The results of this study co nfirm that hospital discharge diagnostic data in Sweden can be used fo r purposes of epidemiological research and surveillance for GBS, and s how that the incidence of GBS in SWS compares to those described in ot her populations.