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.