Prevalence of dementia in selected Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Mohsen Sedighi; Mohammad Hasan Shahabi; Alireza Amanollahi; Khurshid Alam; Soudabeh Shemehsavar; Zahra Shirzadi; Serena Sabatini; Ahmad R. Khatoonabadi; Matthew Prina; Akram A. Hosseini; Claire V Burley; Jennifer Dunne; Simin Mahinrad; Iman Dajani; Ralph N. Martins; Blossom C.M. Stephan; Ali Chaari; Hamid R. Sohrabi

doi:10.1002/alz.71109

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Prevalence of dementia in selected Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Prevalence of dementia in selected Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Mohsen Sedighi, Mohammad Hasan Shahabi, Alireza Amanollahi, Khurshid Alam, Soudabeh Shemehsavar, Zahra Shirzadi, Serena Sabatini, Ahmad R. Khatoonabadi, Matthew Prina, Akram A. Hosseini, …

Alzheimer's & dementia, Vol.22(1), e71109

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.71109

PMID: 41605847

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Abstract

Clinical Neurology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Neurosciences & Neurology

Science & Technology

Data on dementia epidemiology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined dementia prevalence across MENA. Databases were searched up to October 2024. Analyses were stratified by country and sex. Pooled prevalence was estimated using a random-effects model with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Fifty-two studies on the selected countries met inclusion criteria, covering 87,219 individuals with dementia from a total population of 1,045,908. The pooled prevalence was 12.16% (95% CI: 9.61-14.96) for the region and the Israel had the highest prevalence (17.00%), followed by Iran (13.20%), Turkey (11.40%), Saudi Arabia (8.34%), and Egypt (6.86%). Dementia was more common in women than men (13.84% vs. 8.69%). Dementia is prevalent in MENA, with significant variation across countries. The region's aging population highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of dementia trends.

Details

Title: Prevalence of dementia in selected Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors/Creators: Mohsen Sedighi - Iran University of Medical Sciences
Mohammad Hasan Shahabi - Philipps University of Marburg
Alireza Amanollahi - Iran University of Medical Sciences
Khurshid Alam - Murdoch University
Soudabeh Shemehsavar - Murdoch University, School of Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry and Physics
Zahra Shirzadi - Massachusetts General Hospital
Serena Sabatini - Universitat de Barcelona
Ahmad R. Khatoonabadi - Iran University of Medical Sciences
Matthew Prina - Newcastle University
Akram A. Hosseini - Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Claire V Burley - Curtin University
Jennifer Dunne - Curtin University
Simin Mahinrad - Alzheimer's Association
Iman Dajani - Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
Ralph N. Martins - Macquarie University
Blossom C.M. Stephan - Curtin University
Ali Chaari - Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
Hamid R. Sohrabi - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Alzheimer's & dementia, Vol.22(1), e71109
Publisher: Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.
Number of pages: 13
Identifiers: 991005904677907891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Psychology; Murdoch Business School; Ngangk Yira Institute for Change; School of Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry and Physics; Centre for Healthy Ageing; Health Futures Institute; Personalised Medicine Centre
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.52 Neurodegenerative Diseases; 1.52.60 Dementia
Web Of Science research areas: Clinical Neurology
ESI research areas: Neuroscience & Behavior