Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO0097

Advancing ADPKD Care in the United Arab Emirates: Insights from a Multidisciplinary Expert Forum

Session Information

• ADPKD and Cystic Kidney Disease - 2
  October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Genetic Diseases of the Kidneys

• 1201 Genetic Diseases of the Kidneys: Cystic (Monogenic)

Authors

• Tahtouh Zaatar, Muriel, Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, American University in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Muriel Tahtouh Zaatar, MSc, PhD

• Al Rukhaimi, Mona, Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Mona Al Rukhaimi, MD, MBBS

• Nehme Fahmy, Ricardo, Mayo Clinic in Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Ricardo Nehme Fahmy, MD

• Ghamrawi, Ranine, Mayo Clinic in Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Ranine Ghamrawi, MD

• Abou Ayache, Ramzi, Nephrology and Renal Transplant, Mediclinic City Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Ramzi Abou Ayache

• Alhadari, Amna Khalifa, Department of Nephrology, Dubai Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Amna Khalifa Alhadari, PhD

• Boobes, Yousef, Tawam Hospital, SEHA, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Yousef Boobes, MD

• Bou Antoun, Marie Therese, Mayo Clinic in Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Marie Therese Bou Antoun, MD

• Ewaida, Ahmed, Department of Nephrology, Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Ahmed Ewaida, MD

• Ghosn, Muriel, Nephrology Division, Medical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Muriel Ghosn, MD, FASN

• Hassan, Mohamed H., SEHA Corporate, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Mohamed H. Hassan, MD, MBChB, FASN

• Mousa, Dujanah, Diaverum Al-Majdouie Dialysis Center, Dammam Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Dujanah Mousa

• Santos, Carla, RISE-Health, Department of Behavioural Sciences, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

Carla Santos, MD, PhD, ScM

• Shaath, Bahaa, Imperial College London Diabetes & Endocrine Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Bahaa Shaath, MD, MBBS

• Macario, Fernando Jose Gordinho Rocha M, M42, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Fernando Jose Gordinho Rocha M Macario, DrMed

• Yamout, Hala, Department of Nephrology, Clemenceau Medical Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Hala Yamout, MD

• Alseiari, Mohamed Yahya Mohamed Alkindi, SEHA Transplant Institute, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Mohamed Yahya Mohamed Alkindi Alseiari, MD

• Chebib, Fouad T., Mayo Clinic in Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Fouad T. Chebib, MD, FASN

Background

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a major inherited cause of kidney failure worldwide. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and broader Middle East and North Africa region, growing nephrology expertise, advanced imaging, and national genomic initiatives create an opportunity to strengthen ADPKD care. This forum identified strategies to improve guideline-based care.

Methods

A multidisciplinary ADPKD expert forum was convened on April 11, 2026, with 20 nephrologists and stakeholders from academic institutions, public health systems, and private practice across the UAE and region. Sessions examined diagnostic pathways, practice patterns, alignment with international standards, and priorities for diagnosis, risk stratification, treatment access, and long-term care.

Results

Participants highlighted strengths, including nephrology expertise, imaging access, and national genomic programs such as the Emirati Genome Project. Opportunities were identified across the care continuum. Diagnosis often follows incidental imaging or advanced kidney dysfunction, supporting family-based screening and clearer referral pathways. After diagnosis, MRI-based risk stratification remains variably used, and genetic testing is not yet routinely integrated into workflows. Access to disease-modifying therapy, including tolvaptan, differs by coverage and care setting, with opportunities to strengthen adherence support and monitoring. Participants also emphasized extrarenal assessment, reproductive counseling, family screening, and transplant evaluation. The forum generated actionable practice points to standardize early identification, strengthen referral networks, expand access to imaging and genetic risk stratification, support equitable treatment use, and develop coordinated care models.

Conclusion

ADPKD care in the UAE is well positioned for progress. The central opportunity is to translate existing evidence, expertise, imaging capacity, and genomic infrastructure into scalable care pathways. Earlier detection, streamlined referral, systematic risk stratification, and coordinated longitudinal care could improve outcomes for patients and families affected by ADPKD across the UAE and broader region.

Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledge the support of the Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC). The authors also acknowledge the contributions of M42 and Abu Dhabi Biobank to the PKD expert forum initiative.

Funding

• Other U.S. Government Support