Author Identifier (ORCID)
Ralph N. Martins: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4828-9363
Abstract
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.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Volume
22
Issue
1
PubMed ID
41605847
Publication Title
Alzheimer's & Dementia
Publisher
Wiley
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Sedighi, M., Shahabi, M. H., Amanollahi, A., Alam, K., Shemehsavar, S., Shirzadi, Z., Sabatini, S., Khatoonabadi, A. R., Prina, M., Hosseini, A. A., Burley, C. V., Dunne, J., Mahinrad, S., Dajani, I., Martins, R. N., Stephan, B. C. M., Chaari, A., & Sohrabi, H. R. (2026). Prevalence of dementia in selected Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 22(1), e71109. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.71109