USIDNET: a strategy to build a community of clinical immunologists.
OBJECTIVE
Information about patients with primary immune deficiencies can be scarce because of the rarity of the disorders. Individual centers rarely have sufficient patients to educate trainees and garner collective wisdom. Registries for many diseases have proven their worth by providing essential information on disease spectrum, treatments and natural history. This study describes the construction and use of a registry for patients with primary immune deficiencies and other efforts to improve knowledge and care for affected patients and their families.


METHODS
Registry demographics and data were extracted using proprietary reporting tools. Educational efforts and cell repository data were collected from centralized source material.


RESULTS
The USIDNET Registry contains 3,459 patients, with common variable immune deficiency being the most represented. Pilot studies identified strengths and weaknesses of the data. Visiting Professor and Visiting Scholar Programs have been successful, encouraging trainees at all levels to pursue a career in Immunology.


CONCLUSIONS
USIDNET's comprehensive and integrated approach provides resources that strengthen the field of primary immune deficiencies, as shown by utilization by 312 distinct sites or individuals. The reach of USIDNET's efforts is extended through the educational resources.
Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA, sullivak@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Kathleen E
KE
Sullivan
Jennifer M
JM
Puck
Luigi D
LD
Notarangelo
Ramsay
R
Fuleihan
Tara
T
Caulder
Connie
C
Wang
Marcia
M
Boyle
Charlotte
C
Cunningham-Rundles
D017074:Common Variable Immunodeficiency / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012042:Registries; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration*