The key difference between Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) lies in the speed of onset and progression of the disease.
GBS vs. CIDP: A Comparison
| Feature | Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) | Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Acute: Develops rapidly. | Chronic: Develops slowly. |
| Progression | Reaches maximum severity in less than 4 weeks. | Reaches maximum severity typically in over 8 weeks. |
| Classification | Classic acute autoimmune neuropathy. | Classic chronic autoimmune neuropathy. |
In essence, GBS presents much more acutely, reaching its most severe state in under 4 weeks, while CIDP develops more slowly and reaches its peak severity typically over 8 weeks, classifying them as acute and chronic autoimmune neuropathies respectively. This difference in the speed of progression is a primary factor in distinguishing between the two conditions.
