Systematic reviewindependent cross-checkfull text checked★ key study I-LEG-101 in-depth review
How common is G6PD deficiency in Arab countries?
Epidemiology of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Arab Countries: Insights from a Systematic Review.
Overview
Alangari AS et al.. J Clin Med 2023 · PMID 37892786 · DOI 10.3390/jcm12206648
Across 23 studies from Arab countries, 2% to 31% of the people tested had G6PD deficiency, more often males.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: moderate
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Summarise G6PD deficiency prevalence in Arab countries.
- How was the study done?
Systematic literature review, no pooling.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
23 studies, 2000-2022, five from Egypt.
- What was actually found?
Prevalence 2-31%, higher in males and high-risk groups.
- How large was the observed effect?
Range only; no pooled estimate.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
The enzyme defect behind favism is common in the region, so fava-bean haemolysis is a real local risk.
- What are the study's limitations?
Hospital-based samples; English only; no meta-analysis.
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports the frequency part of C-LEG-03.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Relevant to migrants from the region.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
It cannot give one national prevalence for Egypt.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Alangari AS et al.
- Journal
- J Clin Med
- Year
- 2023
- Identifier
- PMID 37892786 DOI 10.3390/jcm12206648 · PMC10607133
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-26 + Crossref works API
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- full text
- Conflicts of interest and funding
No conflicts declared; no specific funding (full text).
2. Research question
What is the prevalence of G6PD deficiency and what are its determinants in the 22 Arab countries?
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Systematic review – Systematic review without meta-analysis (PRISMA-reported; MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL; English, 2000-2022)
- Population
Primary studies from Arab countries (neonates, children, adults, special groups)
- Country
Arab countries incl. Egypt (5 studies), Iraq, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Mauritania, Bahrain, Oman, UAE, Sudan
- Period
Studies published 2000-2022
- Sample size
23 studies (sample sizes 31 to 48,889)
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Primary studies on prevalence/incidence or determinants of G6PD deficiency; peer-reviewed; English only.
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Not applicable (prevalence)
- Comparator
Not applicable
- Endpoints
Prevalence of G6PD deficiency; risk factors
- Statistical methods
Narrative synthesis; no pooled estimate
5. Actual results
- Results
Prevalence ranged from 2% to 31% across studies, higher in high-risk groups (e.g. neonates with sickle cell anaemia); determinants: male sex, family history, consanguinity, region. Egyptian studies included Elella 2017 (2,782 newborns), Kasemy 2019 (487 jaundiced neonates), Abo El Fotoh 2016 (202), Fattah 2010 (69; 14.4% deficient) and Hagag 2017/2018 (1,000 patients).
- Absolute risks
Not applicable
- Authors' conclusion
Prevalence varies across Arab countries and is higher in males; screening and diagnostic guidelines should be revisited.
6. Strengths
- Covers all Arab countries
- Full text read: search strategy and table of included studies available
7. Weaknesses
- No meta-analysis
- Mostly hospital-based, non-random samples (authors' own limitation)
- English-only
- Mixed populations (jaundiced neonates vs general newborns) make the range hard to interpret
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- AMSTAR 2
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
No protocol registration reported; no pooled analysis; selection of high-risk samples inflates upper range.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
The 2-31% range mixes general and high-risk samples; it shows that deficiency is common in the region, not a single prevalence figure.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Supports the statement that G6PD deficiency is frequent in the Arab region including Egypt (C-LEG-03).
11. Independent contrary findings
Population-based Egyptian figures are lower than some hospital series (I-LEG-104: 1.0% of Egyptian men living in Kuwait).
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
Relevant to people of Middle Eastern and North African origin living in Europe.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Useful regional overview that confirms a meaningful burden of G6PD deficiency in Arab countries; not a precise prevalence estimate.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | moderate |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | not applicable |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | partly replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | high |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
No nationally representative Egyptian survey identified.