Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives. Contrary to popular belief, the condition of dementia is not an actual discrete disease, but rather a group of symptoms, most notable of which is the disturbance of memory and social ability, often severe enough to impair daily functioning. As a result, it has been a major cau...

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Main Authors: Ashraf El-Metwally, Paivi Toivola, Mashael Al-Rashidi, Shanila Nooruddin, Munazza Jawed, Raghad AlKanhal, Hira Abdul Razzak, Nada Albawardi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-01-01
Series:Behavioural Neurology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/3935943
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author Ashraf El-Metwally
Paivi Toivola
Mashael Al-Rashidi
Shanila Nooruddin
Munazza Jawed
Raghad AlKanhal
Hira Abdul Razzak
Nada Albawardi
author_facet Ashraf El-Metwally
Paivi Toivola
Mashael Al-Rashidi
Shanila Nooruddin
Munazza Jawed
Raghad AlKanhal
Hira Abdul Razzak
Nada Albawardi
author_sort Ashraf El-Metwally
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives. Contrary to popular belief, the condition of dementia is not an actual discrete disease, but rather a group of symptoms, most notable of which is the disturbance of memory and social ability, often severe enough to impair daily functioning. As a result, it has been a major cause of functional deterioration among varying populations in the world. This study is aimed at reviewing the epidemiology of dementia in Arab countries in terms of its prevalence, distribution, and risk factors. Methods. A systematic literature review was conducted using articles published in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and other local journals between 1990 and 2018. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 18 studies were concluded to be eligible for the review. Results. Prevalence studies demonstrated that dementia is indeed a prevalent condition in Arab countries, ranging between 1.1% and 2.3% among age groups of 50 years and older, as well as between 13.5% and 18.5% among age groups of 80 years and above. However, these results are not different from those of many other countries in the world. Moreover, prevalence was found to vary depending on sociodemographic characteristics. Major risk factors of dementia included hypertension, low income, and low education, while the risk of developing dementia is increased by obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular risk factors. Despite the growing evidence regarding the epidemiological distribution and determinants of dementia worldwide, studies from the Arab region remain scarce. Conclusion. This systematic review highlights the need for population-based studies to provide necessary information for developing preventive and curative strategies specific to the Arab region.
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spelling doaj-art-01e3fb91b1c041f48fb22bb1fea623c12025-02-03T05:48:24ZengWileyBehavioural Neurology0953-41801875-85842019-01-01201910.1155/2019/39359433935943Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in Arab Countries: A Systematic ReviewAshraf El-Metwally0Paivi Toivola1Mashael Al-Rashidi2Shanila Nooruddin3Munazza Jawed4Raghad AlKanhal5Hira Abdul Razzak6Nada Albawardi7College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaKing Abdullah Specialist Children Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaDow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, PakistanDow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, PakistanKing Abdullah International Medical Research Center/King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaMinistry of Health and Prevention, Dubai, UAEEpidemiology and Biostatistics Section, Health Sciences Research Centre, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaBackground/Objectives. Contrary to popular belief, the condition of dementia is not an actual discrete disease, but rather a group of symptoms, most notable of which is the disturbance of memory and social ability, often severe enough to impair daily functioning. As a result, it has been a major cause of functional deterioration among varying populations in the world. This study is aimed at reviewing the epidemiology of dementia in Arab countries in terms of its prevalence, distribution, and risk factors. Methods. A systematic literature review was conducted using articles published in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and other local journals between 1990 and 2018. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 18 studies were concluded to be eligible for the review. Results. Prevalence studies demonstrated that dementia is indeed a prevalent condition in Arab countries, ranging between 1.1% and 2.3% among age groups of 50 years and older, as well as between 13.5% and 18.5% among age groups of 80 years and above. However, these results are not different from those of many other countries in the world. Moreover, prevalence was found to vary depending on sociodemographic characteristics. Major risk factors of dementia included hypertension, low income, and low education, while the risk of developing dementia is increased by obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular risk factors. Despite the growing evidence regarding the epidemiological distribution and determinants of dementia worldwide, studies from the Arab region remain scarce. Conclusion. This systematic review highlights the need for population-based studies to provide necessary information for developing preventive and curative strategies specific to the Arab region.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/3935943
spellingShingle Ashraf El-Metwally
Paivi Toivola
Mashael Al-Rashidi
Shanila Nooruddin
Munazza Jawed
Raghad AlKanhal
Hira Abdul Razzak
Nada Albawardi
Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review
Behavioural Neurology
title Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review
title_full Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review
title_short Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review
title_sort epidemiology of alzheimer s disease and dementia in arab countries a systematic review
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/3935943
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