title: Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in the Arabian Gulf countries: Systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to perform a systematic review and synthesize epidemiological data on hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the Arabian Gulf countries, and to assess the country-specific prevalence among nationals and expatriate populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of HCV antibody prevalence and incidence in the Arabian Gulf countries was conducted, based on the items outlined in the PRISMA statement. Meta-analyses were performed incorporating inverse variance weighting and using a random-effects model to pool summary estimates of HCV prevalence among general population groups, for nationals and the entire resident population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 557 prevalence measures and one incidence measure were identified for the Arabian Gulf countries. HCV prevalence among nationals was 0.24% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02-0.63) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 0.44% (95% CI 0.29-0.62) in Kuwait, 0.51% (95% CI 0.43-0.59) in Qatar, and 1.65% (95% CI 1.40-1.91) in Saudi Arabia. No data were available for Bahrain or Oman. Among the entire resident populations, HCV prevalence was 0.30% (95% CI 0.23-0.38) in Bahrain, 0.41% (95% CI 0.35-0.46) in Oman, 1.06% (95% CI 0.51-1.81) in Qatar, 1.45% (95% CI 0.75-2.34) in Kuwait, 1.63% (95% CI 1.42-1.84) in Saudi Arabia, and 1.64% (95% CI 0.96-2.49) in UAE. A higher prevalence was observed among expatriate populations such as Egyptians. Among the high-risk populations, HCV prevalence was as high as 78.6% in the multi-transfused and 74.6% in people who inject drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  National-level HCV prevalence in the Arabian Gulf region is comparable to global levels. A higher prevalence is found in specific expatriate populations, reflecting the prevalence in their countries of origin. Most exposures appear to occur in high-risk groups and these are often linked to medical care.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medical College - Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation, Education City, PO Box 24144, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Yousra A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Mohamoud
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medical College - Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation, Education City, PO Box 24144, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riome
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medical College - Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation, Education City, PO Box 24144, Doha, Qatar; Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, New York, USA; College of Public Health, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: lja2002@qatar-med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Laith J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Abu-Raddad
mesh_terms: D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: Arabian Gulf; Epidemiology; Hepatitis C virus; Meta-analysis; Prevalence; Systematic review