Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT1350

Introduction: Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is a severe disorder characterized by a deficiency in the synthesis and release of cortisol or/and aldosterone. The prevalence of AI is estimated to range from 20–50 per 100 000 individuals in Europe. However, studies on AI in Central Asia (CA) have only recently begun. Kazakhstan, a vast country with a population of 20 million, faces challenges in delivering consistent specialized outpatient care due to sparse clinics and variable healthcare standards. Since 2014, the ESPE Caucasus & Central Asia School has been instrumental in providing pediatric endocrinology education. This initiative marks the first structured effort to implement an organized educational program for medical professionals and families dealing with AI in Kazakhstan.

Aim: To develop and implement a standardized, systematic educational program in Kazakhstan for clinicians, families, and patients with AI.

Methods: Healthcare professionals involved in managing AI were identified by contacting healthcare authorities across all regions of Kazakhstan. Additionally, project information was disseminated through Facebook groups for families with children diagnosed with AI. To enhance care standards, the European Emergency Card (EEC) for AI was translated into Kazakh and Russian and will be integrated into emergency response protocols in the future. Structured educational programs were designed for healthcare professionals, and individualized treatment plans (ITP) were created for patients. These programs aimed to establish continuity of care across all 17 regions of Kazakhstan. All materials, including educational content and treatment templates, were prepared in both Kazakh and Russian.

Results: A total of 134 patients with AI were identified, with detailed information on age and gender available for 72 individuals. Among them, 43 (61%) were girls, and 29 (39%) boys with a median age of 10.5 years (range: 1–18). The translated EEC and the structured educational program were introduced to clinicians during face-to-face and digital conferences held nationwide. Patient organization representatives participated in these events, sharing expertise. ITP templates were developed and adapted to the local healthcare infrastructure. These plans are now being implemented to ensure comprehensive, patient-centered care for individuals with AI.

Conclusion: The implementation of an organized and standardized educational approach across Kazakhstan significantly enhances the quality of care for patients with AI. By ensuring consistent medical care and education, this initiative bridges geographical barriers and aligns medical practices across all regions. Furthermore, equipping healthcare professionals with tailored educational resources fosters a deeper understanding of AI management and improves patient outcomes.