title: Physicians awareness on primary immunodeficiency disorders in Iran.
abstract: Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) consist of a group of genetic disorders that predispose the patients to immune-mediated complications. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of Iranian general practitioners and pediatricians about PIDs.A questionnaire consisting 52 closed questions on clinical symptoms, laboratory data, associated syndromes and management of PIDs patients was made valid and reliable by a pair pilot study. Then the questionnaire was filled by pediatricians, general practitioners and pediatric residents from different regions of Iran. Totally, 333 physicians (50 general practitioners, 52 pediatric residents, 182 pediatric specialists, and 49 pediatric sub specialists) participated in this study. The mean total score was 55.9±14.3 (i.e. about 29 correct answers out of 52 questions). One hundred and five participants (31.9%) answered correctly more than two third of all questions. In order to qualitatively compare the groups a ranking system was used. Total scores was significantly different between physicians groups (p<0.01). Pediatric subspecialties gained the highest rank, which was significantly over the other participants (p<0.05). This study showed that there is a considerable lack of awareness on PIDs in physicians. This may be one of the major reasons in late diagnosis and the delay in adequate treatment deteriorating patients' morbidity and mortality. Retraining classes and reconsidered educating schedules are needed as an efficient strategies and improving physicians' knowledge about PIDs.
authors.affiliation: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Keramat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nourijelyani
authors.forename: Asghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aghamohammadi
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salehi Sadaghiani
authors.forename: Nasrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Behniafard
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abolhassani
authors.forename: Sarvenaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pourjabar
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rezvanizadeh
authors.forename: Joobin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Khadamy
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Imanzaeh
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sedaghat
authors.forename: Nima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rezaei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D002983:Clinical Competence; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010372:Pediatrics; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires