Table 1 Summary of incidence and prevalence studies of various neurological disorders in United Arab Emirates

Inshasi & Thakre [13]

Multiple sclerosis

Dubai, N = 284 (33.1%), 34.5 ± 9.9 years

2000–2007

McDonald criteria

Retrospective, single hospital

54.7 (47.0–62.6)

19.2 (13.4–25.0)

6.8 (3.8–9.8)

-

-

Schiess et al. [14]

Multiple sclerosis

Abu Dhabi Emirate, N = 510 (36.1%), 36.0 ± 11.0 years

2010–2014

McDonald criteria

Retrospective, 4 hospitals

57.1 (50.7–64.1); M 38.4 (31.2–46.8; F 76.9 (66.3–88.7)

^b64.4 (57–72)

18.0 (10.0–30.0)

^b6.0 (5.5–6.5)

-

-

Ismail et al. [15]

Multiple sclerosis

Abu Dhabi Emirate, N = 82 (35.0%), 7–19 years

2010–2014

McDonald criteria

Retrospective, 4 hospitals

^C30.7 (17.5–49.9)

-

^c2.3(0.9–4.9); M 0.7 (0.1–4.1); F 3.9 (1.3–9.2)

^d7.2(4.3–11.4); M 7.0 (3.2–13.3); F 7.4 (3.4–14.0)

-

-

Holroyd et al. [16]

Transverse myelitis

Abu Dhabi Emirate, N = 46 (46.0%), 42 ± 17.6 years

2010–2016

2002 diagnostic criteria from the Consortium Working Group

Retrospective, 4 hospitals

^e2.46

1.00

^e0.57

f0.18

-

0.18

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

2015 international consensus diagnostic criteria

^e1.76

0.34

^e0.2

^f0.06

-

0.05

Khan et al. [19]

Brain Tumours

United Arab Emirates, N = 756 (62.3%), 33.5 ± 21.1 years

1984–2017

World Health Organisation 2016 classification of brain tumours

A cross sectional study, Tawam Hospital (United Arab Emirates) Cancer Registry, large public tertiary care hospital

-

-

1.1 (0.8–1.3)

0.4 (0.3–0.4)

0.6

Dash et al. [17]

Meningitis

Al Ain District (Abu Dhabi Emirate), N = 92 (sex % NR), 19.0 ± 1.7 years

2000–2005

Clinical assessment, bacterial meningitis was confirmed by a positive Gram stain of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), by cultural isolation of a relevant microorganism from CSF and/or blood, or by detection of bacterial antigens in CSF; viral meningitis was diagnosed presumptively on clinical grounds and by exclusion of bacterial meningitis

Retrospective chart review of clinical records and notification forms for cases of meningitis reported to the Department of Preventive Medicine from healthcare facilities in the medical district of Al Ain

-

-

-

-

1.0 (2000) and 2.2 (2005)

Sarathchandran et al. [18]

Cerebral venous thrombosis

Dubai, N = 138 (53.6%), 37.5 ± 11.3 years

2010–2018

Confirmed venous sinus occlusion on CT venograms or MR venograms

Retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients aged > 13 years from three major hospitals with an acute stroke service in Dubai

-

-

-

-

6.6

Bener et al. [20]

Headache

Al Ain City (Abu Dhabi Emirate), Dubai, and Sharjah emirates, N = 1159 (47.8%), Mean age NR

1995–1996

The diagnostic criteria defined by the International Headache Society

A cross-sectional population study, screening questionnaires followed by clinical interviews, 12 primary schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah Emirates

-

36.9%

-

-

-

Migraine

-

13.7%

-

-

-