Kawasaki Disease Arab Initiative [Kawarabi]: Establishment and Results of a Multicenter Survey

Studies on Kawasaki disease (KD) in Arab countries are scarce, often providing incomplete data. This along with the benefits 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 offer a platform to assess disease burden of KD, among Arab population, decrease practice variation and foster population-based knowledge.