Prevalence of Depression among Arab Women with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: To systematically review and meta-analyze the literature estimating the cross-sectional prevalence of depression in Arab women with Type 2 diabetes in Arab countries. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative studies. Data Sources: The data were collected from scientific databases which included CINAHL, PubMed, Medic, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane library and ERIC published from January 2000 to May 2015. Sources used in all of the included studies were also reviewed. Results: Nine studies were included in the analysis. The criteria included studies that reported on Type 2 diabetes and depression co-morbidity in adult women from the following countries: Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Qatar, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. Conclusions: Prevalence rate of depression as comorbidity of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Arab Women in the Arab countries is significant. Despite dearth of studies focusing on the association between depression and diabetes mellitus among Arab women, the prevalence rate revealed from the review merits attention for more gender specific exploratory studies on prevalence and management of these diseases.