Abstract:
Studies on Kawasaki disease (KD) in Arab countries are scarce, often providing incomplete data. This along with the benefts
of multicenter research collaboratives led to the creation of the KD Arab Initiative [Kawarabi] consortium. An anonymous
survey was completed among potential collaborative Arab medical institutions to assess burden of KD in those countries and
resources available to physicians. An online 32-item survey was distributed to participating institutions after conducting face
validity. One survey per institution was collected. Nineteen physicians from 12 countries completed the survey representing
19 out of 20 institutions (response rate of 95%). Fifteen (79%) institutions referred to the 2017 American Heart Association
guidelines when managing a patient with KD. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is not readily available at 2 institutions
(11%) yet available in the country. In one center (5%), IVIG is imported on-demand. The knowledge and awareness among
countries’ general population was graded (0 to 10) at median/interquartiles (IQR) 3 (2–5) and at median/IQR 7 (6–8) in the
medical community outside their institution. Practice variations in KD management and treatment across Arab countries
require solid proactive collaboration. The low awareness and knowledge estimates about KD among the general population
contrasted with a high level among the medical community. The Kawarabi collaborative will ofer a platform to assess dis ease burden of KD, among Arab population, decrease practice variation and foster population-based knowledge.
