Rheumatology research output in the Arab world: Despite the challenges

Background: Rheumatology is a field of daily advancements in terms of diagnostics, pathophysiology, and management. Such advancements are the result of basic sciences, translational, and clinical research. Physical and financial support, which are provided by individuals and organizations, are vital for any form of research. The political and financial instability in the Arab world has affected the process of healthcare advancement and the research output. Material(s) and Method(s): This review looked into the number of rheumatological clinical publications that individual Arab countries produced from 2017 till 2021 which were cited by PubMed/MEDLINE. Publications that included authors from multiple countries were excluded. Publications were then sorted according to type;randomized controlled trial (RCT), cohort, cross-sectional, systematic review, narrative review, and case report. Publications were also sorted according to the Arab world regions;North and East Africa (NEA), Middle East (ME), and Arabian Peninsula (AP). Result(s): Egypt had the highest number of publication among NEA countries, and all Arab countries in general, with 261 publications including 23 RCTs. Saudi Arabia had the highest number of publications among AP countries with 81 publications. However, no individual AP country published a RCT. Lebanon had the highest number of publications among ME countries, but the majority of publications were reviews and case reports. Notably, the number of publications increased in certain countries during the COVID-19 era. Conclusion(s): Despite the political instability and lack of funds, the Arab world is still able to produce clinical rheumatological publications. The impact of such publications on the daily practice of Rheumatology remains questionable.

Rheumatology research output in the Arab World: despite the challenges.

Rheumatology is a field in which diagnostic, pathophysiological, and therapeutic advancements occur daily. These developments are the result of research in basic sciences, translational sciences, and clinical sciences. Physical and financial support, provided by individuals and institutions, is essential for all types of research. The political and economic instability in the Arab world has impacted the advancement of healthcare and the output of research. This review seeks to evaluate the quantity and quality of rheumatology-related research conducted in the Arab world. This review examined the number of rheumatological clinical publications produced by Arab countries between 2017 and 2021 and cited by PubMed/MEDLINE. Publications with authors from multiple nations were disqualified. Publications were then categorized by type, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and case reports. Publications were also organized according to the regions of the Arab world: North and East Africa, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula. The review also used data from the world bank to evaluate the gross domestic product (GDP) and total population of Arabian nations in order to calculate a ratio of publications to GDP and publications to population. Egypt had the highest number of publications among north and east African countries and Arab countries in general, with 261 publications, including the highest number of RCTs, which were 23. With 81 publications, Saudi Arabia had the highest number of publications on the Arabian peninsula. However, no individual country on the Arabian peninsula published an RCT. Lebanon had the most publications in the Middle East, but the majority were reviews and case reports. Tunisia had the highest ratio of publications to GDP. Notably, the number of publications increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 era in some countries. The Arab world is still able to produce clinical rheumatology publications despite its political instability and lack of resources. The influence of such publications on the daily practice of rheumatology is still debatable.

Axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis triggered by sars-cov-2 infection: a report of two cases.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can show musculoskeletal symptoms such as peripheral arthritis. In rare cases, peripheral arthritis can develop after the resolution of SARS-CoV-2. We present two cases of spondyloarthritis induced by SARS-CoV-2; one case with axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis and the other with peripheral spondyloarthritis. Both cases refer to Lebanese patients who were HLA-B27 positive. These two cases highlight the possible predisposition of HLA-B27 positive patients to the development of spondyloarthritis symptoms triggered by SARS-CoV-2.