title: Attentiveness of pediatricians to primary immunodeficiency disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary immunodeficiency (PID) is a cluster of serious disorders that requires special alertness on the part of the medical staff for prompt diagnosis and management of the patient. This study explored PID knowledge and experience among pediatricians of wide educational backgrounds, practicing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered questionnaire was used to determine the competency of pediatricians in their knowledge of PID disorders. This study questionnaire included questions on PID signs and symptoms, syndromes associated with immunodeficiency, screening tests, interpreting laboratory tests and case management. The participants were 263 pediatricians of diverse education working in the 27 governmental hospitals in all regions of UAE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall performance of the pediatricians did not differ based on their age, gender, origin of certification, rank, or years of experience. Of the 50 questions, 20% of pediatricians answered correctly <60% of the questions, 76% answered correctly 60 to 79% of the questions, and 4% answered correctly ≥80% of the questions. Seventeen of the 19 PID signs and symptoms were identified by 55 to 97%. Four of 5 syndromes associated with immunodeficiency were identified by 50 to 90%. Appropriate screening tests were chosen by 64 to 96%. Attention to the laboratory reference range values as function of patient age was notably limited.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a noteworthy deficiency in PID work-up. Therefore, implementing effective educational strategies is needed to improve the competency of pediatricians to diagnose and manage PID disorders.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. suleiman.alhammadi@uaeu.ac.ae
authors: Suleiman
authors: S
authors: Al-Hammadi
authors: Eiman
authors: E
authors: Al-Reyami
authors: Sareea
authors: S
authors: Al-Remeithi
authors: Khawla
authors: K
authors: Al-Zaabi
authors: Rola
authors: R
authors: Al-Zir
authors: Heba
authors: H
authors: Al-Sagban
authors: Taoufik
authors: T
authors: Zoubaidi
authors: Abdul-Kader
authors: AK
authors: Souid
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002568:Certification; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D010820:Physicians / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014479:United Arab Emirates