Guillain-Barré syndrome in a local area in Japan, 2006-2015: an epidemiological and clinical study of 108 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Many epidemiological studies of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Fisher syndrome (FS) have been conducted in Europe and America. In contrast, epidemiological studies are rare in Asia where the GBS subtypes differ from those in Western countries. This study was undertaken to clarify the incidence of GBS and FS in a local area in Japan as well as their seasonal trends. METHOD: Seventy-one GBS and 37 FS patients were recorded from 2006 to 2015 in an area of approximately 1.5 million inhabitants in Japan. The incidence, seasonal trends and clinical features of GBS and FS were examined. RESULTS: The incidence rate of GBS was 0.42 cases per 100 000 person-years and that of FS was 0.22 cases per 100 000 person-years. The incidence of GBS increased with age and FS affected predominantly patients aged from 45 to 64 years old. There was some seasonal clustering of acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and FS in spring and summer, but it was not significant. AMAN and FS patients had a high frequency of preceding infection (AMAN, 68% gastrointestinal infection; FS, 65% upper respiratory infection). Antecedent respiratory infection was significantly associated with FS as an outcome. Serum antibodies to ganglioside GM1 were detected in 71% of AMAN patients and antibodies to GQ1b were detected in 81% of FS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study offers evidence of a lower incidence of GBS and a higher incidence of FS in a local area in Japan than in Western countries.

Positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia: application of Jacksonism.

Factors influencing prognosis and relapse in schizophrenia were investigated systematically. The results agreed with Jacksonism. Data were collected from 166 patients who suffered relapses and were readmitted to Hospital, into seven categories from Nov 15, 1971 to Dec 31, 1974. The psychiatric symptoms were classified from A to G, positive to negative. The initial symptoms were divided into 4 groups. There was interrelation between the somatic and psychiatric symptoms; in the initial symptoms and the prognosis, courses, and psychiatric symptoms. Based on the author's results, the author suggests that an evolutional and hierarchical interpretation, which Jackson emphasized, in the correlation between brain and mind is applicable in the psychopathology of schizophrenia.

Clinical study of schizophrenia--application of jacksonism.

Factors influencing prognosis and relapses in schizophrenia were investigated systematically. The results were agreed with Jacksonism. Data were collected from 166 patients who suffered relapses and were readmitted to hospital from November 15, 1971, to December 31, 1974. The psychiatric symptoms were classified from A to G, positive to negative. The initial symptoms were divided into 4 groups. There was interrelation between the somatic and psychiatric symptoms; in the initial symptoms and prognosis, courses, and psychiatric symptoms. Based on my results, I suggest that an evolutional and hierarchical interpretation, which Jackson emphasized, in the correlation between brain and mind is applicable in the psychopathology of schizophrenia.