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Abstract This study compared the clinical outcomes of the two main neurophysiological types of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Sixty-two GBS patients were examined clinically at onset using Medical Research Council (MRC), Hughes disability scales (HDS), and nerve conduction studies were evaluated in four limbs. The Modified Erasmus GBS outcome score (MEGOS) was assessed 2 weeks after onset. Outcomes were measured after 3 months using MRC and HDS scores. According to electrophysiological data two main groups identified acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP = 31 cases) or acute axonal GBS including inexcitable forms (26 cases). The number of days between onset of weakness and admission was significantly shorter, and gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly higher among the axonal type than AIDP. MRC sum scores at onset and at nadir were significantly worse in the axonal type than in AIDP. Neck muscle weakness, impaired cough reflex, the need for mechanical ventilation, hypoalbuminemia, and hypernatremia were more common in the axonal type. At outcome, 74% of the AIDP were healthy/minor symptoms versus 38.46% of the axonal type. There was a high prevalence of the axonal variant (41.9%) compared with European and North American populations. The axonal type had a significantly worse outcome than AIDP type.

In beta thalassemia, the degree of globin chain imbalance is determined by the nature of the mutation of the β-gene. β° refers to the complete absence of production of β-globin on the affected allele. β + refers to alleles with some residual production of β-globin. The homozygous state results in severe anemia that necessitates regular blood transfusion. On the other hand, frequent blood transfusion can lead to iron overload resulting in progressive dysfunction of the heart, Liver as well as multiple endocrinopathies. We studied the impact of genotype on the development of disease complications in patients with β thalassemia. A Cross sectional study was carried on 73 patients with beta thalassemia. Genotyping was determined by DNA sequencing technique. Routine investigations as well as MRI liver and heart were performed to assess iron overload. We found that β + β + was the most common genotype in our patients followed by β°β° and β°β + . Mean Liver iron content (LIC) was significantly higher in β°β° compared to β°β + and β + β + genotypes and mean cardiac T2* was significantly lower in β°β° compared to β°β + and β + β + genotypes. Hepatic complications, hepatitis C, cardiac complications and some endocrinopathies were significantly higher in patients with β°β° genotype compared to other genotypes which explain the role of the underlying genetic defect in thalassemia patients in development of disease complications.