Skip to content
2000
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. New Emirates Medical Journal
  4. Volume 5, Issue 1
  5. Article
Volume 5, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 0250-6882
  • E-ISSN: 0250-6882
file format pdf download PDF
side by side viewer icon HTML

Abstract

Background

Depression is on a steady rise across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), causing much socio-economic burden to the country. Identifying patient journey gaps for depression, beginning with awareness and screening, diagnosis, and treatment to sustained remission and rehabilitation, can help design health policies with actionable solutions, mitigating the burden of the disease.

Methods

Studies in the English language between 2010 and 2021 were shortlisted using a structured search in electronic databases followed by an unstructured search using government websites and Google Scholar and anecdotal data from local professional experts. Synthesized data was subjected to weighted mean calculation, and an evidence gap map was charted.

Results

Varying prevalence of depression (5.1%-82.2%) was reported across different settings and population sample sizes in the UAE. One study reported that 13.0% of the UAE population was aware of their depressive condition. Screening rates of depression were reported to be relatively high (34.2%-90.5%), while depression was diagnosed in 0.5%-48.5% of patients. The treatment rate was 36.1%, while adherence rates were estimated to be low at 0.3%. No evidence of control or remission of depression could be gathered.

The reviewed studies used only the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic criteria for diagnosing depression. The review also lacked large-scale research studies that may have limited the actual representation of the prevalence of depression across the country.

Conclusion

Addressing the gaps identified through evidence mapping methodology can shape a ‘model of care’ for depression. This model should aim to harmonize collaborations among the mental health stakeholders and advocate for the social reintegration of patients.

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Bentham Science Publisher.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/nemj/10.2174/0102506882271385240119144550
2024-02-26
2025-01-19

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/nemj/10.2174/0102506882271385240119144550
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/nemj/5/1/NEMJ-5-E02506882271385.html?itemId=/content/journals/nemj/10.2174/0102506882271385240119144550&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. World Health Organization DepressionAvailable from: https://www.who.int/news-room /fact-sheets/detail/depression (Accessed Jan 23, 2023).
  2. OkashaA. AlkhadhariS. Al SharqiA. Al SherifT. AsaadT. HachemD.G. KarraniA. KhanA.S. LaflammeS. OsmanT.O. RamyH. SarhanW. SheehanV.D. Arab treatment guidelines for the management of major depressive disorder.Arab J. Psychiatry20172829711710.12816/0041709
     [Google Scholar]
  3. GBD 2015 eastern mediterranean region mental health collaborators. The burden of mental disorders in the Eastern Mediterranean region, 1990-2015: findings from the global burden of disease 2015 study.Int. J. Public Health20186312537
     [Google Scholar]
  4. World Health Organization Depression and other common mental disorders global health estimates.Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/254610/WHO-MSD-MER-2017.2-eng.pdf (Accessed Jan 23, 2023).
  5. The Economist ImpactTogether for mental health.2022Available from: https://impact.economist.com/perspectives/sites/default/files/e i198_uae_mental_health_report_dv5.pdf (Accessed Jan 23, 2023).
  6. BharatanT. DeviR. HuangP.H. JavedA. JeffersB. LansbergP. SidhuK. SubramaniamK. A methodology for mapping the patient journey for noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries.J. Healthc. Leadersh.20211313354610.2147/JHL.S28896633542673
     [Google Scholar]
  7. HaqueA. KindiB.A.A. Mental health system development in the UAE.Mental Health and Psychological Practice in the United Arab Emirates. Al-KaramC.Y. HaqueA. Palgrave Macmillan, New York2015233410.1057/9781137558237_3
     [Google Scholar]
  8. RegierD.A. KuhlE.A. KupferD.J. The DSM-5: Classification and criteria changes.World Psychiatry2013122929810.1002/wps.2005023737408
     [Google Scholar]
  9. HamdiE. AminY. Abou-SalehM.T. Problems in validating endogenous depression in the Arab culture by contemporary diagnostic criteria.J. Affect. Disord.1997442-313114310.1016/S0165‑0327(97)00037‑29241573
     [Google Scholar]
  10. CoventryP.A. HaysR. DickensC. BundyC. GarrettC. CherringtonA. Chew-GrahamC. Talking about depression: A qualitative study of barriers to managing depression in people with long term conditions in primary care.BMC Fam. Pract.20111211010.1186/1471‑2296‑12‑1021426542
     [Google Scholar]
  11. HuongP.T.T. WuC.Y. LeeM.B. ChenI.M. Associations of suicide risk and community integration among patients with treatment-resistant depression.Front. Psychiatry20221380629110.3389/fpsyt.2022.80629135308876
     [Google Scholar]
  12. EapenV. El-RufaieO. United arab emirates (UAE).Int. Psychiatry200852384010.1192/S174936760000558031507937
     [Google Scholar]
  13. SnyderH. Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines.J. Bus. Res.201910433333910.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
     [Google Scholar]
  14. TriccoA.C. LillieE. ZarinW. O’BrienK.K. ColquhounH. LevacD. MoherD. PetersM.D.J. HorsleyT. WeeksL. HempelS. AklE.A. ChangC. McGowanJ. StewartL. HartlingL. AldcroftA. WilsonM.G. GarrittyC. LewinS. GodfreyC.M. MacdonaldM.T. LangloisE.V. Soares-WeiserK. MoriartyJ. CliffordT. TunçalpÖ. StrausS.E. PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and explanation.Ann. Intern. Med.2018169746747310.7326/M18‑085030178033
     [Google Scholar]
  15. MataD.A. RamosM.A. BansalN. KhanR. GuilleC. Di AngelantonioE. SenS. Prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms among resident physicians.JAMA2015314222373238310.1001/jama.2015.1584526647259
     [Google Scholar]
  16. SulaimanN. HamdanA. TamimH. MahmoodD.A. YoungD. The prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety in a sample of diabetic patients in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.BMC Fam. Pract.20101118010.1186/1471‑2296‑11‑8020973956
     [Google Scholar]
  17. GhubachR. El-RufaieO. ZoubeidiT. SabriS. YousifS. MoselhyH.F. Subjective life satisfaction and mental disorders among older adults in UAE in general population.Int. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry201025545846510.1002/gps.236019760624
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Al JaradA. Al HadiA. Al GaratliA. AkramA. AlsaeidiD. Al MansourF. El AminH. KhaledM. AlharthiN. Al OwesieR. AbdullahS. MatarT. DarwishT. Impact of cognitive dysfunction in the middle east depressed patients: The ICMED study.Clin. Pract. Epidemiol. Ment. Health201814127028310.2174/174501790181401027030972126
     [Google Scholar]
  19. MusaA. AshrafJ. TsaiF.J. AbolmagdS. LiuC. HussainH. VoslarovaE. KhalilM.A. Wolitzky-TaylorK.B. LeeD. SugarJ. PendiK. LeeJ. AbdelmaksoudR. AdelN. BaronD. Depression severity and depression stigma among students.J. Nerv. Ment. Dis.20202081188488910.1097/NMD.000000000000122633105442
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Abdel AzizK. Aly El-GabryD. Al-SabousiM. Al-HassaniG. RaghebM.M. Elhassan ElaminM. Abdel-MaksoudM. StipE. Al-AidroosA. Al-ShehhiT. ArnoneD. Pattern of psychiatric in-patient admissions in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.BJPsych Int.2021182465010.1192/bji.2020.5434287416
     [Google Scholar]
  21. MellalA.A. AlbluweT. Al-AshkarD. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and its socioeconomic determinants among university students in Al Ain, UAE.Int. J. Pharm. Pharm. Sci.201465309312
     [Google Scholar]
  22. UAE national health survey report.Available from: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/united-arab-emirates/uae-national-health-survey-report-2017-2018.pdf?sfvrsn=86b8b1d9_1&download=true (Accessed Jan 31, 2023).
  23. QassimS. BouraF. Al-haririY. Al-Hariri. Public knowledge and attitude toward depression and schizophrenia: Findings from quantitative study in UAE.Asian J. Pharm. Clin. Res.201811740240610.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i7.26160
     [Google Scholar]
  24. BloukhS.I. EdisZ. Waseemul IslamM. Ait GacemS. SaeedL. SultanA. Assessment of depression status among adolescents and adults in UAE.Int. Res. J. Pharm.2019105232610.7897/2230‑8407.1005156
     [Google Scholar]
  25. SchiessN. HuetherK. HolroydK.B. AzizF. EmamE. ShahrourT. SzolicsM. AlsaadiT. Multiple sclerosis, anxiety, and depression in the United Arab Emirates.Int. J. MS Care2019211293410.7224/1537‑2073.2017‑04130833870
     [Google Scholar]
  26. AwadallaS. DaviesE.B. GlazebrookC. A longitudinal cohort study to explore the relationship between depression, anxiety and academic performance among Emirati university students.BMC Psychiatry202020144810.1186/s12888‑020‑02854‑z32917172
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Mohamed IbrahimO.H. IbrahimR.M. Al-TameemiN.K. RileyK. Challenges associated with mental health management: Barriers and consequences.Saudi Pharm. J.202028897197610.1016/j.jsps.2020.06.01832792842
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Al OmariO. Al SabeiS. Al RawajfahO. Abu SharourL. AljohaniK. AlomariK. ShkmanL. Al DameeryK. SaifanA. Al ZubidiB. AnwarS. AlhalaiqaF. Prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress among youth at the time of COVID-19: An online cross-sectional multicountry study.Depress. Res. Treat.202020201910.1155/2020/888772733062331
     [Google Scholar]
  29. ThomasJ. BarbatoM. VerlindenM. GasparC. MoussaM. GhorayebJ. MenonA. FigueirasM.J. AroraT. BentallR.P. Psychosocial correlates of depression and anxiety in the united arab emirates during the COVID-19 pandemic.Front. Psychiatry20201156417210.3389/fpsyt.2020.56417233240122
     [Google Scholar]
  30. MahmoudI. SaravananC. Prevalence of mental disorders and the use of mental health services among the adult population in united arab emirates.Asian J. Epidemiol.2019131121910.3923/aje.2020.12.19
     [Google Scholar]
  31. AbdullatifM. FarooqS. AltheebA. RishmawiF. JaradatH. AlAbadyK. Prevalence of depressive disorders and associated factors among adult population of Dubai 2019.Dubai Med. J.20214429130010.1159/000518811
     [Google Scholar]
  32. KharabaZ. Al-AzzamS. AlhusbanA. NuseirK. A look behind the scenes: COVID-19 impact on depression and perceived stress of UAE population.Middle East Current Psychiatry20212813510.1186/s43045‑021‑00115‑7
     [Google Scholar]
  33. MubarakF. EsaadouniN. Prevalence of anxiety and depression in Abu Dhabi residents in the year 2019 (a pilot study).Egypt. J. Psychiatry202142915
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Al DhufairiA. Al HoutiE. Al MarzouqiS. Al NuaimiA. Al-MidfaA. HassanA. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic in psychiatric outpatient visits in Abu Dhabi - A retrospective study.AJPRR202142619
     [Google Scholar]
  35. ThomasJ. TerryJ.P. Containing COVID-19 risk in the UAE: Mass quarantine, mental health, and implications for crisis management.Risks Hazards Crisis Public Policy202213192710.1002/rhc3.1223734909109
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Al-MutawaN. Al-MutairiN. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on the mental health of the general population in the gulf cooperation council states: A cross-sectional study.Front. Psychiatry20211280100210.3389/fpsyt.2021.80100234987435
     [Google Scholar]
  37. AlajmaniD.S.A. AlkaabiA.M. AlhosaniM.W. FoladA.A. AbdouliF.A. CarrickF.R. AbdulrahmanM. Prevalence of undiagnosed depression in patients with type 2 diabetes.Front. Endocrinol.20191025910.3389/fendo.2019.0025931130915
     [Google Scholar]
  38. PuangsriP. JinanarongV. WattanapisitA. Impacts on and care of psychiatric patients during the outbreak of COVID-19.Clin. Pract. Epidemiol. Ment. Health2021171526010.2174/174501790211701005234497660
     [Google Scholar]
  39. MorrisM.C. CieslaJ.A. GarberJ. A prospective study of the cognitive-stress model of depressive symptoms in adolescents.J. Abnorm. Psychol.2008117471973410.1037/a001374119025221
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Al-DarmakiF. YaaqeibS.I. Psychology and mental health services in the United Arab Emirates.2015Available from: https://www.apa.org/international/pi/2015/06/psychology-arab (Accessed Feb 23, 2023).
  41. AbaidoG.M. Cyberbullying on social media platforms among university students in the United Arab Emirates.Int. J. Adolesc. Youth202025140742010.1080/02673843.2019.1669059
     [Google Scholar]
  42. MoselhyH.F. GhubachR. El-RufaieO. ZoubeidiT. BadrinathP. SabriS. YousefS. The association of depression and anxiety with unhealthy lifestyle among United Arab Emirates adults.Epidemiol. Psychiatr. Sci.201221221321910.1017/S204579601100070922789171
     [Google Scholar]
  43. ThomasJ. AnoutiF.A. HasaniS.A. Abdel-WarethL. HaqA. Sunshine, sadness and seasonality: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, and depressive symptoms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Int. J. Ment. Health Promot.2011131232610.1080/14623730.2011.9715647
     [Google Scholar]
  44. BruceD.F. Drugs that cause depression.Available from: https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/medicines-cause-depression#091e9c5e80009241-2-4 (Accessed Feb 23, 2023).
  45. HamidiS. AbouallabanY. AlhamadS. MeirambayevaA. Patient cost-sharing for ambulatory neuropsychiatric services in Abu Dhabi, UAE.Int. J. Ment. Health Syst.20161013410.1186/s13033‑016‑0066‑627103943
     [Google Scholar]
  46. JohnstonK. WesterfieldW. MominS. PhillippiR. NaidooA. The direct and indirect costs of employee depression, anxiety, and emotional disorders--an employer case study.J. Occup. Environ. Med.200951556457710.1097/JOM.0b013e3181a1f5c819369892
     [Google Scholar]
  47. GreenbergP.E. FournierA.A. SisitskyT. SimesM. BermanR. KoenigsbergS.H. KesslerR.C. The economic burden of adults with major depressive disorder in the United States (2010 and 2018).PharmacoEconomics202139665366510.1007/s40273‑021‑01019‑433950419
     [Google Scholar]
  48. AleteshN. AlamraniS. AlshreefO. AlsharifZ. AlshehriM. FalahH. AliR. Al-EteshY. AlmubarakS. Public awareness towards depression in Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia.IJMDC20215387688410.24911/IJMDC.51‑1610991870
     [Google Scholar]
  49. BenerA. GhuloumS. Gender differences in the knowledge, attitude and practice towards mental health illness in a rapidly developing Arab society.Int. J. Soc. Psychiatry201157548048610.1177/002076401037441520591923
     [Google Scholar]
  50. AbdelwahidH.A. Al-ShahraniS.I. Screening of depression among patients in family medicine in southeastern Saudi Arabia.Saudi Med. J.201132994895221894360
     [Google Scholar]
  51. Healthcare capacity master plan. Department of health. A healthy and safe Abu Dhabi. 2020Available from: https://www.doh.gov.ae/en/investor/capacity-master-plan (Accessed on Feb 26, 2023).
  52. DowrickC. GaskL. EdwardsS. AseemS. BowerP. BurroughsH. CatlinA. Chew-GrahamC. ClarkeP. GabbayM. GowersS. HibbertD. KovandzicM. LambJ. LovellK. RogersA. Lloyd-WilliamsM. WaheedW. AMP Group Researching the mental health needs of hard-to-reach groups: Managing multiple sources of evidence.BMC Health Serv. Res.20099122610.1186/1472‑6963‑9‑22620003275
     [Google Scholar]
  53. PaulS.S.N. RamamurthyP.H. PaulB. SanthoshS.R. FernandesD. IsaacR. Depression among geriatric population; The need for community awareness Depression among geriatric population; The need for community awareness.Clin. Epidemiol. Glob. Health201971113
     [Google Scholar]
  54. GellisZ.D. Depression screening in medically ill homecare elderly.Best Practices Ment. Health20106111621743801
     [Google Scholar]
  55. SiniscalchiK.A. BroomeM.E. FishJ. VentimigliaJ. ThompsonJ. RoyP. PipesR. TrivediM. Depression screening and measurement-based care in primary care.J. Prim. Care Community Health20201110.1177/215013272093126133185122
     [Google Scholar]
  56. TyrerP. A comparison of DSM and ICD classifications of mental disorder.Adv. Psychiatr. Treat.201420428028510.1192/apt.bp.113.011296
     [Google Scholar]
  57. AungM.H. MatthewsM. ChoudhuryT. Sensing behavioral symptoms of mental health and delivering personalized interventions using mobile technologies.Depress. Anxiety201734760360910.1002/da.2264628661072
     [Google Scholar]
  58. GoldmanL.S. NielsenN.H. ChampionH.C. Awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of depression.J. Gen. Intern. Med.199914956958010.1046/j.1525‑1497.1999.03478.x10491249
     [Google Scholar]
  59. Al ZaabiM.S.R. SridharS.B. TadrossT.M. ShariffA. Frequency and predictors of potential drug interactions among psychiatry outpatients on treatment with antidepressant medications.Biomed. Pharmacol. J.20211431209121810.13005/bpj/2223
     [Google Scholar]
  60. AllahamK. FeyasaM.B. GovenderR.D. MusaA. AlKaabiA.J. ElBaraziI. AlSheryaniS.D. Al FalasiR.J. KhanM.A.B. Medication adherence among patients with multimorbidity in the United Arab Emirates.Patient Prefer. Adherence2022161187120010.2147/PPA.S35589135572810
     [Google Scholar]
  61. Al JumahK. HassaliM.A. Al QhataniD. El TahirK. Factors associated with adherence to medication among depressed patients from Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.Neuropsychiatr. Dis. Treat.2014102031203710.2147/NDT.S7169725378929
     [Google Scholar]
  62. HendausM. MoussaM. YounesS. HammoudiD.A. The use of antidepressants among lebanese population in bekaa valley: Knowledge and perspective.Glob. J. Med. Res.20202081
     [Google Scholar]
  63. UnützerJ. ParkM. Strategies to improve the management of depression in primary care.Prim. Care201239241543110.1016/j.pop.2012.03.01022608874
     [Google Scholar]
  64. YaziciE. KirkanT.S. Akcali aslanP. AydınN. YaziciA.B. Untreated depression in the first trimester of pregnancy leads to postpartum depression: High rates from a natural follow-up study.Neuropsychiatr. Dis. Treat.20151140541110.2147/NDT.S7719425737636
     [Google Scholar]
  65. HiltyD.M. ChanS. HwangT. WongA. BauerA.M. Advances in mobile mental health: Opportunities and implications for the spectrum of e-mental health services.mHealth201733410.21037/mhealth.2017.06.0228894744
     [Google Scholar]
  66. KoornneefE. RobbenP. BlairI. Progress and outcomes of health systems reform in the United Arab Emirates: A systematic review.BMC Health Serv. Res.201717167210.1186/s12913‑017‑2597‑128931388
     [Google Scholar]
  67. SolmiM. MiolaA. CroattoG. PigatoG. FavaroA. FornaroM. BerkM. SmithL. QuevedoJ. MaesM. CorrellC.U. CarvalhoA.F. How can we improve antidepressant adherence in the management of depression? A targeted review and 10 clinical recommendations.Br. J. Psychiatry202143218920210.1590/1516‑4446‑2020‑093532491040
     [Google Scholar]
  68. LinE.H.B. Von KorffM. CiechanowskiP. PetersonD. LudmanE.J. RutterC.M. OliverM. YoungB.A. GensichenJ. McGregorM. McCullochD.K. WagnerE.H. KatonW.J. Treatment adjustment and medication adherence for complex patients with diabetes, heart disease, and depression: A randomized controlled trial.Ann. Fam. Med.201210161410.1370/afm.134322230825
     [Google Scholar]
  69. ModestiP.A. ReboldiG. CappuccioF.P. AgyemangC. RemuzziG. RapiS. PerruoloE. ParatiG. ESH Working Group on CV Risk in Low Resource Settings Panethnic differences in blood pressure in europe: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One2016111e014760110.1371/journal.pone.014760126808317
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/nemj/10.2174/0102506882271385240119144550
Loading
Mapping Actionable Gaps in Patient Journey for Depression in the United Arab Emirates: A Strategic Framework
NEW Emirates Medical J 5, e02506882271385 (2024); https://doi.org/10.2174/0102506882271385240119144550
/content/journals/nemj/10.2174/0102506882271385240119144550
/content/journals/nemj/10.2174/0102506882271385240119144550
Loading

Data & Media loading...

Supplements

Search strategy used for structured literature search with Boolean operators and truncation : Definition of patient journey touchpoints : Modified Newcastle-Ottawa scoring guide : Quality Assessment of Reviewed Studies Table : Data synthesis from the included studies : Bubble plot depicting weighted mean of prevalence and patient journey touchpoints obtained from peer-reviewed publications for depression in UAE

file format download Download

  • Article Type:     Review Article
Keyword(s): Actionable; Burden; Continuity of care; Depression; Evidence gap; Mental health; Strategic framework; UAE population

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test