Current trends and prospects of multiple sclerosis research in Arab countries

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a complex and intractable neurological disease associated with substantial morbidity, healthcare utilization, management cost, and loss of productivity. There has been an alarming increase in the number of multiple sclerosis cases in Arab countries in recent years, which has spurred an increase in local research. Aims: To analyse the multiple sclerosis research profile in Arab countries. Methods: A total of 781 publications focusing on multiple sclerosis research in Arab countries from 1983 to 2021 were extracted from the Web of Science database and analysed using bibliometric techniques. Results: Publication on multiple sclerosis research increased sharply in the last decade, globally and in the Arab countries. However, Arab countries have only contributed 0.8% of the overall number of publications. Keyword pattern analysis showed that magnetic resonance imaging, optical coherence tomography, expanded disability status, demyelination, and epidemiology were the major themes of multiple sclerosis research in Arab countries. Case–control, cohort, and descriptive studies were the most prevalent study designs. However, there was a notable paucity of meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and clinical trials. Conclusion: Arab countries can improve their regional expertise and add a wealth of knowledge to global multiple sclerosis resources by diversifying their current research initiatives, and tracking recent advances in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of multiple sclerosis.