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Advances in Knowledge
* - This study presents a systematic bibliometric analysis of diabetic foot disease (DFD) research originating from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
* - Although the number of DFD-related publications showed a slow but significant increase between 1990 and 2015, GCC countries still lag behind other countries in this field, despite having some of the highest diabetes mellitus (DM) prevalence rates worldwide.
Application to Patient Care
* - The findings of this study are intended to highlight and promote research related to the epidemiology, management and prevention of DFD in GCC countries. Such research efforts would help to inform patient care, policy planning and DM management in this region.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a public health challenge in the Arabian Gulf region.1 With an estimated population of 53 million, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) consists of the member states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), all of which share similar demographic characteristics, socioeconomic profiles and healthcare systems.2 Over the past five decades, these countries have undergone rapid economic growth and urbanisation, facilitating lifestyle changes which have contributed to a marked rise in the prevalence of obesity and nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases, such as type 2 DM.3 Overall, GCC countries have some of the highest global age-adjusted DM prevalence rates among adults, ranging from 14.8% in Oman to 20% in Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.1 Moreover, the healthcare systems of GCC countries are inadequately resourced and structured to tackle the growing DM burden, resulting in suboptimal care.4,5
Poorly-controlled DM increases the risk of complications such as diabetic foot disease (DFD), a group of heterogeneous conditions which cause deformity, ulceration and infection due to peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease in the lower limbs.6 Worldwide, DFD is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, in addition to being a major financial burden to both individuals and healthcare systems.7,8 The lifetime risk of an individual with DM developing a foot ulcer is approximately 25%.8 Foot ulceration increases the risk of lower limb amputation, one of the most debilitating complications of DM. More than 50% of non-traumatic lower limb amputations are attributable to DFD.8
Population-based studies conducted in high-income countries have shown...