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316 - Estimating the Need for Rehabilitation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: 1990 – 2019

Thursday, February 27, 2025

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM MST

Presenting Author(s)

AS

Andrew A. Salgado, MD

Medical resident
Burke Rehabilitation Hospital/ Staten Island University hospital
staten island, New York, United States

Co-Author(s)

YA

Yazan Al-Ajlouni, MD

Resident Doctor
Staten Island University Hospital, Northwell Health
Brooklyn, New York, United States
ZO

Zaid Oweis, MB BCh BAO

Member of Royal College of Physicians Ireland
Royal College of Physicians in Ireland
Amman, 'Amman, Jordan
MA

Mohamed Abouzid, PharmD

Doctor
4. Department of Physical Pharmacy and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Pharmacy
albany, New York, United States
MT

Mohammad Tanashat, n/a

Medical Student
Yarmouk University School of Medicine
Irbi, Irbid, Jordan
MT

Mohammad Tabbalat, n/a

Medical Student
Jordan University Science and Technology
Irbid, Irbid, Jordan
OT

Omar Ta’ani, MD

Resident Doctor
Alleghany Health
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
NB

Naciye Bilgin-Badur, MD

PGY-1
Montefiore Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, New York, United States

Objectives: Rehabilitation is a critical aspect of holistic healthcare that addresses physical, mental, and social health limitations. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 2.4 billion people worldwide could benefit from rehabilitation. This study aims to quantify these needs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), encompassing 22 countries with predominantly low- to middle-income wealth brackets, from 1990 to 2019.

Design: This analysis utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019, focusing on the incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for various diseases and injuries. The data was sourced from the WHO Rehabilitation Need Estimator database. Health conditions were selected based on high prevalence, significant contribution to disability, and effectiveness of rehabilitation as an intervention. Conditions treated with medical or surgical approaches were excluded. Rehabilitation need was estimated by calculating YLDs, and adjusting for comorbidities using simulation methods. Data were aggregated according to WHO and World Bank classifications, focusing on the EMR. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted, with graphics created using R software.

Results: The study revealed a significant increase in the prevalence of conditions requiring rehabilitation across the EMR. For instance, acute myocardial infarction prevalence increased by 5.3%, Alzheimer's disease by 9.6%, cancer by 66.4%, and lower back pain by 9.4%. Gender disparities were notable, with males showing higher prevalence rates and YLDs for conditions like fractures and lower back pain. Country-specific data indicated diverse healthcare challenges, such as a high prevalence of fractures in conflict-affected countries like Afghanistan, and vision loss in Pakistan.

Conclusions: The findings emphasize a growing need for rehabilitation services in the EMR due to aging populations, lifestyle, and socio-economic factors. There is a need for tailored rehabilitation strategies integrated into national healthcare systems. Addressing gender disparities and country-specific needs are vital in reducing the burden on rehabilitation services in the region.