The Need for Early Screening of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Diabetic Foot in MENA Region: A Review

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus. Among all complications of DPN, diabetic foot (DF) can cause a myriad of symptoms and impact the quality of life. This study aimed to review the prevalence of DPN and DF in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region based on the publications available. This systematic review can be a cornerstone for further research and it summarizes the literature published on the prevalence of DPN and DF for the last two decades in the MENA region. Methodology: The databases, PubMed, ResearchGate, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, CINAHL, and Cochrane were searched using relevant keywords for the study. Full articles in English since 2000, including keywords “Prevalence”, “Diabetic peripheral neuropathy”, “Diabetic foot”, and “MENA region” were reviewed in two phases. All authors screened the titles and abstracts of the articles individually, which was followed by a screening of full texts. A consensus was made among all the authors for the final selection of the articles based on the eligibility criteria. Results: Ten selected articles on the prevalence of DPN were reviewed in the first phase of the study, which reported varying prevalence rates among the different countries of the MENA region ranging from 9% to 61%. In the second phase, only two articles on DF prevalence were shortlisted. They reported the prevalence of DF as 4.6% and 18.1% in Jordan and Sudan, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of DPN in the MENA region is varied within a short period of time and the reported prevalence of DF is limited. This study projects a strong need of establishing early screening strategies for DPN and DF to prevent further complications and decrease healthcare burden.