SP587DEMOGRAPHICS AND KEY CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS FROM THE GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL (GCC) PARTICIPATING IN DOPPS

Abstract

Introduction and Aims: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is made up of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia (SA), Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman with a total population of more than 50 million. We describe the demographics of the GCC dialysis population and the key clinical characteristics of the hemodialysis (HD) patients participating in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). Methods: 928 randomly selected chronic HD patients from 41 HD units from the six GCC countries participated in the phase 5 of DOPPS from 2012 to 2015. DOPPS is an international prospective cohort study of hemodialysis practices based on the collection of observational data from a random sample of patients from a representative and randomsample of HD units from 21 countries. Results: Table 1 shows key population and end - stage kidney disease (ESKD) information by GCC country, year 2014. It shows high prevalence rates. Most of the dialysis patients are citizens. It is well known that the number of expatriates in the GCC countries is large and in some of these countries it exceeds the number of local citizens. Access of expatriates to dialysis services is limited across the GCC countries, since it is not available free of charge for them. Many expatriates leave the GCC upon reaching ESKD and return to their home country. Therefore, dialysis prevalence rates in each country for citizens are much higher than dialysis prevalence rates for the total population. Hemodialysis is the dominant dialysis modality. The annual dialysis mortality rate is acceptable at less than 15%. Diabetes is the leading cause of ESKD in the GCC. There is a high prevalence of hepatitis C but not of hepatitis B in the dialysis population. Number of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on dialysis is small. Table 2 shows key Characteristics of patients participating in DOPPS 5 (2012/2013) by DOPPS region. It shows a relatively young age with mean age of 54.4 with relatively high mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.3. It also shows diabetes as the leading cause of ESKD followed by hypertension. Being younger, more frequently married and more frequently living with family or friends, did not help improve the physical or mental component summary scores. The higher rates of diabetes, hypertension and obesity led to higher prevalence of peripheral arterial disease. Rates of cancer and psychologic disorders are low in this region. Conclusions: Despite being young, the GCC dialysis population is plagued with diabetes, hypertension, and high BMI. Prevalence rates for ESKD are high, and diabetes is the leading cause. Hemodialysis is the dominant modality and hepatitis C still represents a challenge. Mortality rates are acceptable and there is low prevalence of cancer and psychiatric disorders. (Table Presented).