title: Gulf Cooperation Council-dialysis outcomes and practice patterns study: An overview of anemia management trends at the regional and country specific levels in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
abstract: The Gulf Cooperation Council-Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (GCC-DOPPS) marks the joining of the six Gulf region countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to the main DOPPS study in 2012. The current review is a descriptive reporting on results related to the management of anemia from these countries. Our data demonstrate consistent anemia management patterns across the GCC countries allowing the achievement of international treatment levels. Overall, the majority of hemodialysis patients were prescribed appropriate erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and supplemental iron, enabling the attainment of mean hemoglobin (Hb) level of 10.9 g/dL. Comparisons of the individual country profiles reveal individual differences in the choice and mode of ESA and iron administration. However, all countries displayed good compliance with guideline recommendations. The same challenges as elsewhere are faced in the GCC, with respect to optimizing Hb levels and judiciously using ESA and iron supplements. Some opportunities exist for focused efforts to fine tune inter-facility variability in anemia management based on continued data tracking. The latter is vital in enabling adopting new trends to further improve not only anemia management but also the wholesome care of dialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Samra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abouchacra
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Obaidli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Saeed M G
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Al-Ghamdi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Jamal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Al Wakeel
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, The Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Issa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Al Salmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain.
authors.forename: Sumaya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al Ghareeb
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Dar Al Shifa Hospital, Hawally, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Azmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elsayed
authors.affiliation: Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bieber
authors.affiliation: Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Pisoni
authors.affiliation: List of Study Group in Acknowledgment.
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000628:therapy*; D001445:Bahrain; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D007730:Kuwait; D009850:Oman; D011780:Qatar; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D014479:United Arab Emirates