Abstract: FR-PO0845
Implementation of the First National Dedicated Glomerular Diseases Clinic in Kuwait: Early Real-World Experience from a Tertiary Center in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region
Session Information
- Glomerular Diseases: Practice and New Concepts Shaping Modern Care
October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Glomerular Diseases
- 1402 Glomerular Diseases: Clinical, Outcomes, and Therapeutics
Authors
- Almutar, Sara, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Hospital, Kuwait City, Al Asimah Governate, Kuwait
- Alsharhan, Loulwa, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Hospital, Kuwait City, Al Asimah Governate, Kuwait
- Alotaibi, Razan Abdullah, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Hospital, Kuwait City, Al Asimah Governate, Kuwait
- Altaleb, Ahmed, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, Jabriya, Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait
Background
Glomerular diseases (GD) are complex, heterogenous conditions associated with significant morbidity and variable risk of progression to kidney failure. Their management requires comprehensive review integrating clinical features, serology, histopathology and disease-specific biomarkers. This multidisciplinary approach is essential to enable timely and accurate diagnosis, individualized risk stratification and precision-based care. Despite this, dedicated GD clinics remain underreported in the MENA region and care is often fragmented.
Methods
We conducted a prospective observational study of patients evaluated in a newly established GD clinic at Jaber AlAhmad Hospital, managed by two specialized nephrologists, nephropathologist and clinical pharmacist. Descriptive analyses were performed to report clinical characteristics, disease spectrum, immunosuppressive therapies and referral patterns.
Results
A total of 61 patients were evaluated between March 2025 and April 2026. Median age was 40.5 years (IQR, 28.0–55.3), 62.2% were female, median baseline eGFR was 73.5 ml/min/1.73m2 and median proteinuria was 1900 mg/g. Hematuria was present in 52.5%. Hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity were observed in 55.7%, 32.8%, and 27.8%, respectively. Most patients 86.8% underwent kidney biopsy, with a median referral-to-biopsy time of 8 days. The spectrum of GD diagnoses is summarized in Figure1; less frequent diagnoses include cryoglobulinemic GN (1.6%), thrombotic microangiopathy (1.6%) and Alport syndrome (3.2%). Immunosuppressive therapies are presented in Figure 2. Kidney protective therapies were widely utilized (RAS inhibitors 78.6% and SGLT2 inhibitors 49.2%).
Conclusion
Implementation of a dedicated GD clinic care model is feasible in Kuwait and may facilitate early diagnosis and improve access to specialized GD care and advanced evidence-based therapies. This model may ultimately improve patients outcomes in a region where such infrastructure is less established.
Clinic referral patterns
| Source of referral | Reason for referral |
| Nephrology 52.4% | Establish care 40% |
| Rheumatology 18% | Nephrotic syndrome 18% |
| Internal medicine 16.4% | Nephritic syndrome 16.4% |
| Dermatology 3.4% | Second opinion 16.4% |