Mapping genetic research in non-communicable disease publications in selected Arab countries: first step towards a guided research agenda

Abstract

BackgroundIn the Arab world, intervention and policy response to non-communicable diseases (NCD) has been weak despite extensive epidemiological evidence highlighting the alarmingly increased prevalence of chronic diseases. Generating genetic information is one key component to promote efficient disease management strategies. This study undertook a scoping review to generate the profile of the undertaken research on genetics of NCD publications in selected Arab countries. An analysis of the research produced examined the extent, range, nature, topic and methods of published research. The study aimed at identifying the gaps in genetic NCD research to inform policy action for NCD prevention and control.MethodsThe scoping review was conducted based on the five-stage methodological framework and included countries in Arab region selected to represent various economies and epidemiological transitions.ResultsThe search identified 555 articles that focus on genetics-NCD research in the selected Arab countries over the duration of this study (January 2000 to December 2013). The most commonly conducted research was descriptive and clinically focused, rather than etiologically focused. Country-specific carrier and risk screening studies were not among the top research designs. The genetic component of certain highly heritable diseases, as well as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, chronic lung dysfunction and metabolic syndrome were all under investigated.ConclusionsThis scoping review identified gaps for further research in the context of bioinformatics and genome-wide association studies. Genetic research in the Arab region has to be redirected towards NCDs with the highest morbidity, heritability and health burden within each country. A focused research plan to include community genetics is required for its proper integration in the Arab community.

Review of Non-Communicable Disease Research Activity in Kuwait: Where is the Evidence for the Best Practice?

“…Yet, our gap analysis shows that diabetes has remained a subordinate topic of interest to researchers, occupying less than 10% of the research produced on NCD during the study period. Although the national Dasman Diabetes Institute, established in 2006, has been playing a leading role in combatting the diabetes epidemic in Kuwait through focused diabetes research, integrated prevention, training, and education, our findings are compelling for the need to promote more investment in community genetic research targeting NCDs with the highest morbidity, heritability, and health burden [11].…”

“…This paper focuses on NCD research production from a single country, Kuwait. The detailed search strategy is provided elsewhere [811]. Briefly, we conducted an electronic search of the Medline database, accessed via PubMed, using both indexed terms and free text words for NCD and NCD risk factors.…”

Cancer Research in the Arab World: A review of publications from seven countries between 2000–2013

“…Further details on the search strategy have been published elsewhere using the same dataset. 17 Briefly, several reviewers independently assessed each article to determine whether it met the inclusion criteria and was relevant. Articles were included if the content addressed NCDs and/or NCD risk factors, was related to human health or health systems and if the article pertained to or originated from one of the seven selected Arab countries.…”

Biomedical and health research geography in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

“…Additionally, bibliometric studies could be successfully used to assess trends in the scientific productivity of individual researchers, research groups, or research communities over time, and identify research gaps and priorities. (18,(19)(20)(21)(22)(23).…”