CC BY 4.0 · Ibnosina Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences 2025; 17(01): 018-024
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1802561
Original Article

Clinical Characteristics and Burden of IgG4-Related Disease in the United Arab Emirates

1   Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Hamdan Alawadhi
1   Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Mahra AlMheiri
1   Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Rema Eljabour
1   Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Sarah Al Qassimi
1   Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Esat Memisoglu
2   Department of Radiology, Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Fulvio Salvo
3   Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Asia Mubashir
1   Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Amer AlKhatib
4   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Digestive Diseases Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Maguy Chiha
5   Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Safa Hegazin
6   Division of General Surgery, Digestive Diseases Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Mohamad Masri
7   Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oncology Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Mohamed Abuzakouk
3   Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Mohamed Elarabi
1   Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Ahlam Almarzooqi
8   Department of Rheumatology, Al Qassimi Hospital, Emirates Health Services, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
,
Muriel Ghosn
9   Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Subspecialties Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
› Institutsangaben
Funding and Sponsorship None.

Abstract

Background

There is a scarcity of literature detailing the demographic and clinical data concerning immunoglobulin G4–related disease (IgG4-RD) within the population of the UAE.

Objective

This retrospective follow-up study aimed to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of IgG4-RD in an Arab cohort receiving treatment at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Patients and Methods

Data were collected from 28 Arab patients diagnosed with IgG4-RD at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi between April 1, 2015 and May 31, 2023. The study employed rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria, utilizing the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2019 criteria for classification. Comprehensive analysis of electronic health records included demographics, clinical history, laboratory results, and treatment specifics. The study received ethical approval.

Results

The median age of the patients at the time of initial symptoms was 42 ± 3 years (median ± standard deviation) and that at the time of diagnosis was 47 ± 4.6 years, with a 5-year lag period between initial clinical presentation and establishing a diagnosis. The most common symptoms were constitutional symptoms (71%) followed by low back pain experienced by 54% of patients due to mass effect. In terms of organ involvement, 89% of patients exhibited a single organ being affected. The kidney was the most frequently involved organ (46%). Treatment involved glucocorticoids, often combined with methotrexate and azathioprine, with rituximab.

Conclusion

The study highlights unique features in the Arab population, including a younger median age and the absence of pancreatic involvement. The findings emphasize the need for a national registry to understand disease prevalence, raise awareness, and guide health care strategies for IgG4-RD.


#

Introduction

First identified in the early 2000s, immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) represents a class of immune-mediated disorders with distinct pathological features, including dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, storiform fibrosis, obliterative phlebitis, and often elevated serum IgG4 levels.[1] [2] The disease is known for affecting various organs, including the salivary glands, orbits, lymph nodes, pancreas, hepatobiliary system, kidneys, and the retroperitoneal space.[1] [3]

Globally, IgG4-RD has been documented across several regions, with significant variation in its clinical presentation, demographic features, and affected organs.[4] [5] Most reports have emanated from cohorts in the United States, Europe, and Asia, highlighting variations in patient characteristics and disease manifestations.[3] [6] [7] Despite this global recognition, literature addressing IgG4-RD in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remains limited. Only a few studies, including a prior case cohort from our institution in the UAE, have explored the clinical attributes of IgG4-RD in this population.[8] This study aims to address this gap by presenting a follow-up investigation into the clinical features and burden of IgG4-RD within the Emirati population, emphasizing the need for establishing a national registry to accurately assess disease prevalence and raise awareness among both health care professionals and the general public in the UAE. In this study, we focus on the clinical and demographic characteristics of IgG4-RD within a cohort of Arab patients treated at a tertiary care center in the UAE.


#

Patients and Methods

Subjects

We retrospectively analyzed data from patients diagnosed with IgG4-RD at our facility between April 1, 2015 and May 31, 2023. To identify cases, we searched our electronic medical records database using the keywords “IgG4-RD,” “retroperitoneal fibrosis,” and “raised serum IgG.” Eligible patients were those older than 18 years who had attended at least two follow-up visits with the rheumatology clinic within a 6-month time frame. Patients younger than 18 years, those who missed follow-up visits, had significant missing laboratory data, or had other forms of inflammatory arthritis were excluded. Diagnosis of IgG4-RD was determined using both the ACR/EULAR 2019 criteria and the comprehensive diagnostic criteria. A total of 28 patients met at least one of these diagnostic standards.


#

Study Variables

A comprehensive review and analysis of the electronic health records of all patients were conducted to extract data on demographics, medical history, laboratory results, and treatment information. Comorbidities such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), thyroid disorders, chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary artery disease, gastrointestinal issues, nonmalignant blood disorders (like iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, and thalassemia), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoporosis, depression, and malignancies were documented. Recorded laboratory investigations included rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), immunofluorescence antinuclear antibody (IF-ANA), anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), C3, and C4. Medication details were also gathered, covering the use of oral corticosteroids, conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, azathioprine, and mycophenolate mofetil, along with biologic DMARDs such as rituximab.


#

Statistical Analysis

Descriptive statistics, such as means, medians, and percentages, were used to describe the characteristics of the cohort. Continuous variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation, while skewed continuous variables are summarized using median ± standard deviation. Statistical analyses were performed using R 3.2.2 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria).


#
#

Results

Baseline Characteristics

A total of 28 Arab patients were diagnosed with IgG4-RD, with 82% hailing from the UAE, 7% from Egypt, and 4% each from Jordan, Syria, and Sudan. The median age at the onset of symptoms was 42 ± 3 years (median ± SD), and the median age at diagnosis was 47 ± 4.6 years, reflecting a 5-year gap between the initial presentation and diagnosis. Most patients were males (57%), resulting in a male-to- female ratio of 4:3. Of the 28 patients, 23 (82%) had a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of IgG4-RD ([Table 1]).

Table 1

Baseline clinical characteristics of Emirati patients with IgG4-related disease

Characteristics

Value

No. of cases, n

28

Gender (M:F)

4:3

Median age at the symptom's onset (y ± SD)

42 ± 3

Median age at the time of diagnosis (y ± SD)

47 ± 4.6

Biopsy, n

23

BMI (median ± SD)

28 ± 28

Smoking (%)

43

Comorbidities

DM (%)

32

Hypertension (%)

36

Thyroid disease (%)

25

Dyslipidemia (%)

32

Cardiac disease (%)

4

Chronic kidney disease (%)

25

Gastrointestinal disease (%)

15

Hematological disease (%)

43

Osteoporosis (%)

7

Pulmonary disease (%)

11

Psychiatry (%)

7

Malignancy (%)

7

Atopy (%)

45

Clinical manifestations

Lower back pain (%)

54

Flank pain (%)

36

Mid thoracic back pain (%)

7

Lymphadenopathy (%)

29

Shortness of breath (%)

7

Vision changes (%)

11

Constitutional symptoms (%)

71

Oliguria or anuria (%)

36

Mass location

Renal pelvis or/and Ureter (%)

46

Aorta (%)

18

Exocrine gland (%)

18

Pancreatic and biliary ducts (%)

7

Ocular (%)

11

Pituitary/CNS (%)

7

Laboratory

ESR (mm/h), median ± SD

70 ± 32

CRP (mg/L), median ± SD

25 ± 28

Eosinophilia, median ± SD

0.24 ± 0.10

IF-ANA (%)

14

Rheumatoid factor (%)

13

Anti-CCP (%)

0

SSA/SSB (%)

4

Smith Ab (%)

0

Low C4 (%)

4

Low C3 (%)

11

Elevated ds DNA (%)

4

RNP-Ab (%)

4

c-ANCA and p-ANCA

0

Serum IgG4 (mg/dL), median ± SD

1.3 ± 1.2

Prior infections

Hepatitis A (%)

0

Hepatitis B (%)

4

Hepatitis C (%)

0

History of VZ infection (%)

0

Latent TB infections (%)

17

Imaging modality

CT chest (n)

7

CT abdomen and pelvis (n)

19

MRI brain (n)

2

MRI abdomen and pelvis (n)

3

PET/CT (n)

1

Biopsy findings

Marked lymphocytic and plasmocytic infiltration (%)

54

Storiform fibrosis (%)

24

Ratio of IgG4/IgG > 40% (%)

11

IgG4-positive plasma cells/HPF >10 (%)

21

Management

Prednisone (%)

93

Methotrexate (%)

29

Hydroxychloroquine (%)

7

Azathioprine (%)

36

Mycophenolate mofetil (%)

18

Rituximab (%)

36

Outcomes

Alive (%)

100

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; CNS, central nervous system; CRP, C-reactive protein; CT, computed tomography; DM, diabetes mellitus; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; IF-ANA, immunofluorescence antinuclear antibody; IgG4, immunoglobulin G4; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; PET, positron emission tomography; SD, standard deviation; TB, tuberculosis; VZ, varicella-zoster virus.



#

Comorbidities and Modifiable Risk Factors

Among the cohort, 43% patients were smokers, and the average body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis was 28 kg/m2. The most frequent comorbidities were hematological disorders (43%), dyslipidemia (32%), hypertension (36%), DM (32%), thyroid disease (25%), and CKD (25%).

Additional comorbidities included atopy (45%), gastrointestinal disorders (15%), pulmonary diseases (11%), malignancies (7%), and depression (7%; [Table 1]).


#

Clinical Manifestations and Organ Involvement

The most common symptoms reported were constitutional symptoms, affecting 71% of the patients, followed by low back pain in 54%, attributed to mass effect. Oliguria, anuria, and flank pain were present in 36% of cases, while 29% had lymphadenopathy and 11% reported vision changes. Only 7% experienced mid-thoracic back pain or shortness of breath. Regarding organ involvement, 89% of patients had a single organ affected, with the kidneys being the most frequently involved (46%), primarily impacting the renal pelvis and/or ureter. This was followed by the aorta (18%) and exocrine glands (19%). Two-organ involvement, such as kidneys and lymphadenopathy, was noted in just 11% of the cohort ([Table 1]).


#

Inflammatory Markers, Autoantibody Profile, Imaging, and Biopsy Findings

At baseline, the median ESR and CRP levels were 70 ± 32 mm/h (normal range: 0–20 mm/h) and 25 ± 28 mg/L (normal range: <5 mg/L), respectively. The median serum total IgG was 15.7 g/L, and the IgG4 levels were 1.3 ± 1.2 g/L. Autoantibody screening revealed that 13% patients had a positive RF, 14% had positive IF-ANA, while ds-DNA, SS-A, and RNP-Ab positivity were found in 4% of cases each. Additionally, 11% had low C3 levels, and 4% had low C4. Other autoimmune markers, such as SS-B, anti-CCP, c-ANCA, and p-ANCA, showed no significant results. Diagnostic imaging, including chest, abdomen, and pelvis computed tomography (CT) scans (with and without contrast), was performed in all patients. Seven patients underwent chest CT, 19 had CT of the abdomen and pelvis, 2 had brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 3 had MRI of the abdomen and pelvis, and 1 patient had a positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scan. Tissue biopsies, confirming the diagnosis of IgG4-RD, were conducted in 23 out of 28 patients. Key biopsy findings included lymphocytic and plasmocytic infiltration (54%), storiform fibrosis (24%), the presence of more than 10% IgG4-positive plasma cells per high-power field (21%), and an IgG4-to-total IgG ratio greater than 40% in 11% of cases.


#

Medications

Upon diagnosis, 93% of patients were started on oral prednisone, with doses ranging from 0.5 to 1 mg/kg, adjusted according to symptom severity and tapered over time. Azathioprine was the most commonly prescribed DMARD, used by 36% of patients, followed by methotrexate (29%). Other DMARDs included mycophenolate mofetil (18%) and hydroxychloroquine (7%). Among biologic DMARDs, rituximab was the most frequently used, prescribed to 36% of patients ([Table 1]).


#
#

Discussion

IgG4-RD demonstrates a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations that vary significantly based on geographic, genetic, and environmental factors.[9] Our study of IgG4-RD in the UAE provides a unique opportunity to compare and contrast findings with other cohorts globally and from the Middle East ([Table 2]), where data on this condition remain limited. This analysis builds on prior findings from Türkiye and Saudi Arabia and contributes to understanding the clinical characteristics and burden of IgG4-RD in this region.[7] [10]

Table 2

Comparison of the clinical characteristics of the IgG4-related disease cohorts in the literature

Cohort (reference) variables

UAE[8]

Türkiye[7]

United States[6]

United States[13]

Spain[14]

Spain[11]

France[18]

Italy[19]

Japan[12]

China[20]

UK[21]

No. of patient

15

52

125

57

55

15

25

41

235

118

28

Male-to-female ratio

4:3

1:1

1.6:1

1.7:1

3:1

4:1

2.6:1

1.9:1

4:1

2.3:1

26 (92%) M

Age at diagnosis (y)

Median: 47 ± 4.6

Mean: 51.1 ± 12.7

Mean: 50.3 ± 14.9

Mean: 58 ± 14.8

Median: 53

Median: 60.7 ± 14.8

Mean: 58

Median: 62

Median: 67

Mean: 53.1

Mean: 58.2 ± 14.2

Mean disease duration prior diagnosis (y ± SD)

5

NA

5.0 ± 7.5

NA

NA

NA

3.8

NA

NA

NA

NA

Main comorbidities

Hematologic al, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, allergic (45%)

Endocrinological

NA

NA

Endocrinological

NA

NA

Allergic, gastrointestinal (30%)

Allergic, endocrinological (39%)

Allergic (61.8%)

Cardiovascular, respiratory

Main organs involved

RPF, aorta and exocrine glands

RPF, pancreas

Submandibular glands, lymph nodes, orbits, pancreas

Pancreas (26.4%), pericardium, gallbladder, liver

RPF (27%), orbital pseudotumor (22%), salivary gland (16%), pancreas (16%)

Lymph nodes (60%), kidneys (40%), salivary glands (33.3%), pancreas (20%)

Lymph nodes (76%), pancreas (52%), salivary glands (44%), kidney (44%), biliary duct (32%), RPF (32%)

Pancreas, RPF

Pancreas (61%), salivary glands (34%), kidneys (23%), exocrine glands (23%), aorta (20%)

Lymph nodes (65.3%), salivary glands (64.4%), exocrine glands (50.8%), pancreas (1%)

Pancreas (60%), biliary tree (25%), liver (10.7%), salivary gland (6%), lymph nodes (6%), lungs (5%)

IgG4 ≥135 mg/dL (%)

67

67.3

51.4

12

NA

682.33

52

73

470

97.5

21

Serologies

ANA (14%), RF (13%), low C3 (11%), low C4 (4%)

ANA (7%) MPO-ANCA

Low C3 (20%), low C4 (19%)

NA

NA

Low C3 and C4 (33.3%)

ANA (16%), low C3 and/or C4 (56.25%)[*]

ANA (17%), low C3 and/or C4 (14%)

ANA with ≥40 titers in 50% and ≥80 in 23%

Positive ANA 11%

ANA (6%), ANCA (1%), low C3 (6%), low C4 (5%)

Biopsy (%)

82

25

100

100

100

67

100

75

64

57.6

65

Biopsy finding

NA

NA

NA

NA

Marked lymphocytic and plasmacytic infiltration (%)

Storiform fibrosis (%)

Ratio of IgG4/IgG > 40% (%)

IgG4-positive plasma cells/HPF >10 (%)

54

25

11

21

94.7

68.4

NA

NA

100

93.3

Median: 126.7

Median: 223

80

10

NA

50

92

80

NA

Number: 8

NA

NA

Mean: 0.4 ratio

Number: 25

NA

93.3

NA

92.9

Glucocorticoids (%)

93

71

51

45.6

85.5

100

92

100

69

96.6

100

DMARDS (%)

89

57.5

36.8

MTX 14.3

AZA 14.3

34.5

33.3

48

41

NA

60.1

16

DMARDS used

MTX, HCQ, AZA, MMF

MTX, AZA, CYC

MTX, MMF, tamoxifen, AZA, CYC, IVIG

MTX, AZA, RTX

MTX, AZA, MMF, CYC, RTX

Tacrolimus, MTX, RTX

MTX, AZA, RTX, CYC, TOC, tamoxifen, imatinib

MTX, AZA, RTX, CYC

NA

NA

AZA

Rituximab (n)

10

24

7

5

3

1

3

1

0

0

0

Abbreviations: ANA, antinuclear antibody; AZA, azathioprine; BMI, body mass index; C3 and C4, serum complement 3 and 4; CYC, cyclophosphamide; DMARDs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin; MTX, methotrexate; NA, not available; RPF, retroperitoneal fibrosis; RTX, rituximab.


* Analyzed on 16 patients only.


When considering the demographic profile of our cohort, the median age of diagnosis (47 years) was notably younger than that in global cohorts such as Japan (67 years) and Spain (60 years).[11] [12] However, this is consistent with the data from Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, where the median ages of diagnosis were 53 and 49 years, respectively.[7] [10] This trend may reflect earlier disease recognition or diagnosis in the Middle Eastern populations, potentially due to the increased awareness and access to tertiary care centers. Alternatively, genetic or environmental factors may play a role in the earlier onset of disease in this region.

The male predominance seen in our cohort (57% male) is in line with findings from other studies in the Middle East. The Turkish cohort reported a male-to-female ratio of 1.5:1, while a Saudi cohort also indicated a higher male prevalence, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 2:1.[7] [10] This mirrors international findings, such as those from Japan and the United States, where men are more frequently affected than women.[6] [12] The consistent male predominance across both global and regional cohorts suggests that gender-related differences in IgG4-RD are universal, although the reasons for this disparity remain unclear.

Organ involvement is another critical aspect of IgG4-RD, and our findings provide valuable insights into regional patterns. In our study, the kidneys were the most commonly affected organ, seen in 46% of patients, followed by retroperitoneal involvement. This is consistent with findings from the Turkish cohort, where renal and retroperitoneal involvements were also frequently observed.[7] In contrast, cohorts from Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom report more frequent involvement of the pancreas and salivary glands.[6] [12] [13] This discrepancy could be due to regional differences in genetic predispositions or environmental factors influencing organ-specific manifestations. Further studies investigating genetic and environmental risk factors for organ involvement are necessary to clarify these observations.

Our cohort showed a relatively high percentage of patients with constitutional symptoms (71%), such as fatigue, fever, and low back pain (54%), which are likely linked to the mass effect of retroperitoneal fibrosis. Similarly, the Turkish cohort reported fatigue in 67% of patients and back pain in 40%.[7] These similarities highlight the significant systemic burden of IgG4-RD in the Middle Eastern populations. Comparatively, other international cohorts, particularly from Europe, have reported lower frequencies of these systemic symptoms, suggesting potential regional variations in disease severity or progression.[14]

Laboratory findings in our cohort were consistent with global and regional data. Elevated ESR and CRP levels were observed in the majority of patients, with median ESR levels of 70 mm/h and CRP of 25 mg/L. These inflammatory markers are often elevated in active IgG4-RD and are consistent with findings from Türkiye, where the mean ESR was 62 mm/h.[7] Additionally, the UAE cohort had a notable proportion of patients (14%) with low complement levels (C3 and C4), similar to what has been observed in the Japanese and European cohorts.[12] [15] The presence of low complement levels is often associated with more severe or multisystemic disease, which may indicate a more aggressive disease phenotype in our region.

Histopathological findings in our study align with the established diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RD. Biopsy-proven diagnoses were present in 82% of patients, and histological features such as storiform fibrosis and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration were commonly observed. This is consistent with findings from Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, where histopathological confirmation was achieved in 75 to 80% of patients.[7] [10] These findings underscore the importance of histopathological confirmation for accurate diagnosis, particularly in regions where IgG4-RD is less well recognized. The use of tissue biopsy in most cases aligns with global diagnostic guidelines, which emphasize its role in confirming IgG4-RD.[1] [2]

Treatment strategies in our cohort largely mirrored international practices. The vast majority of patients (93%) received oral corticosteroids as initial therapy, consistent with treatment protocols worldwide.[15] [16] Notably, our cohort had a high rate of rituximab use (36%) as a steroid-sparing agent. This is in line with international findings, where rituximab has been increasingly recognized as an effective therapy for patients with refractory or relapsing disease.[17] In the Middle East, rituximab has also gained prominence, particularly in patients with severe or multi-organ involvement.[7] [10] The use of DMARDs such as azathioprine and methotrexate was consistent with regional and international data, with these agents used to maintain remission and minimize corticosteroid-related side effects.[6] [16]

Despite the smaller sample size of our cohort, this study contributes significantly to the understanding of IgG4-RD in the Middle East. Comparisons with regional data from Türkiye and Saudi Arabia[6] [10] show that IgG4-RD in the UAE presents similarly in terms of demographics, organ involvement, and treatment outcomes. However, the lower rates of pancreatic involvement and higher rates of renal and retroperitoneal disease in our cohort suggest possible regional variations in disease expression. These findings highlight the need for larger, multicenter studies to further explore these patterns and identify potential genetic or environmental factors contributing to these differences.


#

Conclusion

The establishment of a national or regional IgG4-RD registry would be invaluable in providing more accurate prevalence data and enhancing clinical awareness of this disease in the Middle East. Such a registry could facilitate more extensive research on the epidemiology and clinical spectrum of IgG4-RD in Arab populations, ultimately improving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in this region.


#
#

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Authors' Contributions

R.N. contributed to the conception and design of the study, drafting of the article, and final approval of the manuscript. H.A., M.A., and R.E. contributed to data analysis and interpretation of data, and final approval of the manuscript. S.A.Q. contributed to data analysis and interpretation of data, drafting of the article, and final approval of the manuscript. E.M., F.S., A.M., A.A., M.C., S.H., M.M., M.A., M.E., and M.G. contributed to critical revision and final approval of the manuscript. A.A.M. contributed to critical revision, drafting of the article, and final approval of the manuscript.


Compliance with Ethical Principles

The study was approved by the Institutional Research Board (IRB) under study number A-2020-070, with all participants providing consent.


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Address for correspondence

Rajaie Namas, MD
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates   

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
14. Februar 2025

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