Prevalence and Co-prevalence of Comorbidities Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the MENA Region: A Systematic Review

Aim: The management of type 2 diabetes mellitus is affected by the presence of comorbidities. This meta-analysis aimed to determine how likely it is for individuals with type 2 diabetes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to be living with additional chronic health conditions. Methods: We searched for studies published from January 2010 to December 2020 in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE®, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies of adults with type 2 diabetes in the MENA region were included. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis of single proportions to calculate each comorbidity's overall prevalence/co-prevalence. Results: Statistically significant co-prevalence was detected at p < 0.01 for angina (pooled proportion: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.49), cerebrovascular accident (pooled proportion: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.26), coronary artery disease (pooled proportion: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.35), coronary heart disease (pooled proportion: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.12), peripheral vascular disease (pooled proportion: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.26), hypertension (pooled proportion: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.69), renal impairment (pooled proportion: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.29), in addition to hyperlipidemia and overweight/obesity. Conclusion: There is evidence of co-prevalence of several comorbidities in patients with type 2 diabetes. This highlights the importance of enhancing communication among healthcare professionals to develop the optimal management plan for each patient.