OBJECTIVE: To use the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to describe and compare patient-reported disability in Guillain-Barre syndrome survivors and persons with multiple sclerosis, and to identify relevant environmental factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of 77 survivors of Guillain-Barre syndrome in the community. Their Guillain-Barre syndrome-related problems were linked with ICF categories (second level) using an open-ended questionnaire, consensus between health professionals and the "linking rules", and compared with similar data collected previously for 101 persons with multiple sclerosis. RESULTS: Guillain-Barre syndrome survivors were male (59%) and older than persons with multiple sclerosis (mean age 55 vs 49 years). Of 170 ICF categories, 113 were relevant for Guillain-Barre syndrome survivors (mean number 30 vs 18 for persons with multiple sclerosis). The linked categories for Guillain-Barre syndrome included: body function 27 (56%) compared with 48 (42%) for persons with multiple sclerosis; body structure 11 (68%) vs 16 (34%); activities and participation 48 (70%) and 68 (58%); and for environmental factors 27 (71%) compared with 38 (51%) for persons with multiple sclerosis. The main areas linked in the activities and participation domain were mobility, major life areas and interpersonal relationships; and environmental factors included support and relationships, attitudes and products and technology. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to use ICF in Guillain-Barre syndrome survivors and towards development of the ICF Core Set for Guillain-Barre syndrome from a broader international perspective.
AimThe objectives of this study were to compare patient-reported disability in 2 LTNCs; a GBS and an MS community cohort using the ICF; and to identify relevant environmental factors. This study will provide information regarding relevant health
areas for GBS survivors compared with data previously collated for persons with MS.
This study used ICF in Guillain-Barre syndrome survivors towards development of the ICF Core Set for Guillain-Barre syndrome from a broader international perspective.
Khan, Fary Amatya, Bhasker Ng, Louisa
Disease Category: Neurology
Disease Name: Guillain-Barre syndrome , Peripheral neuropathy
Age Range: 18 - 65
Sex: Either
Nature of Intervention: Not specified
- Consumers (patients)
- Patient perspectives
- Interview
- Use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)
Structured interview format and asked to nominate a list of the problems affecting their every day life due to GBS. There was no prompting or use of GBS problem lists.
Each problem reported by GBS survivors was then linked with the ICF checklist of 70 from the 362-second level categories of the whole ICF classification system.
Health professionals trained in ICF used the linking rules to match each problem reported by the participant with an appropriate code from the ICF categories (second level). All problems pertaining to personal factors currently not coded within the ICF were grouped under “personal factors”. Consensus between reviewers was used to decide which categories should be linked to each answer.