Diagnostic and classification criteria for the Guillain-Barre syndrome

Background: Diagnostic criteria for the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) have been available since 1978, Since then, several variants have been described . More recently, a distinction has been made between pure motor forms, seve re sensory forms, primary axonal and primary demyelinating varieties. Assoc iations of clinical characteristics, and specific infections and the presen ce of antiganglioside antibodies have been found, For further studies on GB S, it is therefore necessary to reconsider the available diagnostic criteri a and add additional criteria for subclassification. Methods: A panel of (2 0) experts was formed. The literature representing the recent developments in GBS subclassification was reviewed. Follow-ing a consensus protocol, dia gnostic and classification criteria were formulated. Results: The diagnosis of GBS can usually be made on clinical characteristics. A schedule for sub classification has been made to cover also the clinical variants in a syste matic manner. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.