Epidemiological Features of Neurological Disorders in North Africa and the Middle East from 1990 to 2019: Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

The burden of neurological disorders increases with population growth and aging and nearly three-quarters of the global burden of neurological disorders has been reported in low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to report the epidemiological features and the burden of neurological disorders in North Africa and the Middle East (NAME) countries.

The study population included 21 countries in the NAME region with a population of more than 600 million. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 database was used. In GBD 2019, neurological disorders are classified into 7 diseases and injuries. Incidence rates, prevalence rates, death rates, disability adjusted life years (DALYs) rates by age-standardized rate (ASR) per 100000 people were measured. Also, the attributed burden to high body mass index (BMI), high fasting plasma glucose, smoking, and alcohol use were reported.

The highest incidence rates of neurological disorders in 2019 were in Iran 11293.27 (95% UI, 10132.62–12499.59) and Egypt 10257.33 (95% UI, 9189.37–11341.16), respectively, and the highest mortality 41.12 (95% UI, 17.68–92.44) and DALYs 1503.0 (95% UI, 853.8–2492.15) rates were in Afghanistan. In NAME region, the incidence and prevalence rate of neurological disorders increased by 0.84% (10006.37 to 10090.79) and 1.36% (33711.72 to 34170.57) respectively, while the mortality and DALYs rate decreased by 2.75% (34.11 to 33.17) and 3.92% (1438.48 to 1382.14) between 1990 and 2019. The highest decrement of the neurological disorders-related DALYs with a 10.10% decrement pertained to Afghanistan (1671.86 to 1503). The highest increment of the neurological disorders-related DALYs with a 1.89% increment pertained to Morocco (1330.69 to 1355.83). The highest attributed DALYs to alcohol use pertained to Turkey 9.8 (95% UI, 4.23–18.05). The highest attributed DALYs to high BMI 112.23 (95% UI, 29.3–285.75) and high fasting plasma glucose 100.36 (95% UI, 18.79–302.85) pertained to Qatar. The highest attributed DALYs to smoking pertained to Lebanon 106.34 (95% UI, 37.65–253.87). Most DALYs were associated with those aged 75 years and more.

Despite progressive reduction in death due to neurological disorders in the NAME region in recent decades, there was a considerable and increasing number of people affected by different neurological disorders. As populations age, societies will face more challenges regarding prevention, detection, treatment, and rehabilitation.