Management of chronic and neuropathic pain—journey mapping in Egypt

Abstract Background Epidemiological studies on the prevalence and management of chronic low back pain (CLBP), osteoarthritis (OA), and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) are limited in Egypt. This review aimed to map and identify data gaps in the patient journey touchpoints for CLBP, OA, and DPN. Main body of the abstract An evidence-based mapping approach using MEDLINE, Embase, and Biosis databases were used to identify records between January 2010 and December 2019. Quantitative data synthesis was performed using simple mean or weighted mean, whereas qualitative information was synthesized using a narrative summary. For CLBP, of the 79 records retrieved, 11 were eligible for final analysis (7 CLBP and 4 OA records), and for DPN, of 42 records identified, 13 studies were eligible. For CLBP, data available for prevalence, awareness, and treatment were 34.3%, 39.5%, and 70.0%, respectively. The prevalence of OA was 43.0%. The majority (98.6%) of patients with OA adhered to the treatment, and in 96.2% of the patients’ symptoms were controlled. The prevalence of DPN was estimated to be 42.7%, synthesized evidence indicated that 14.1% of patients were aware of DPN and 22.7% underwent screening. Conclusion As the existing literature is limited, further evidence-based studies are required to accurately understand the complexity of patient journey touchpoints in Egypt. Although the studies on musculoskeletal chronic pain syndrome are limited, the high prevalence of chronic low back pain, osteoarthritis and peripheral neuropathy should urge the health care system to organize the research groups and health care facilities to focus on these disorders and to consider them in the global health care plans.