Article

PURPOSE: To identify the preliminary comprehensive and brief core sets for
Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS), in a Delphi process using the International
Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). METHOD: Focus groups
and a consensus process were used to identify ICF core sets for GBS. This
included: preliminary ICF studies; empirical patient data collection for 77 GBS
participants; review of the evidence base and treatment in GBS literature
followed by a Delphi exercise with 23 physicians and allied health professionals
in Melbourne, Australia. RESULTS: The expert consensus selected 99 second level
ICF categories (in three rounds) which identify health domains relevant to GBS
for multidisciplinary assessment. These domains were consistent with current
practice and existing GBS literature. The comprehensive core set includes: 27
(23%) categories from the component 'body function', 7 (12%) categories from
'body structures', 43 (36%) from 'activities and participation' and 22 (29%) from
the component 'environmental' factors. The brief set comprised 20 categories, 20%
of categories in the comprehensive core set. CONCLUSION: The core set categories
for GBS-related health need to be addressed in multidisciplinary care programs.
Future clinical 'rating' of this set may facilitate scale development using the
ICF in GBS. Further research is needed to confirm the generalisability of this
set in clinical settings.

Langue : ANGLAIS