Alhomaid Tameem A, Alburaidi Omar, Garallah Nahla, Alghofaili Sultanah, Alhayyani Roqayya M, Alkhalifah Bashayr, Albalawi Anwar, Alshanqyti Sajidah S, Allaboon Ranem
Family Medicine, Qassim Health Cluster, Buraydah, SAU.
Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, SAU.
Cureus. 2025 Aug 17;17(8):e90321. doi: 10.7759/cureus.90321. eCollection 2025 Aug.
Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with significant variations in prevalence across urban and rural populations. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, rapid urbanization and socioeconomic changes have introduced new mental health challenges. However, comprehensive data on depression disparities between urban and rural residents remain limited. This systematic review aims to explore depression prevalence in Saudi Arabia and other GCC nations, examining associated factors and regional variations. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between 2010 and 2024. Studies published between 2010 and 2024 were included if they assessed depression prevalence among adults in urban or rural settings within GCC countries using validated diagnostic tools. Studies were excluded if they focused on narrow subpopulations or lacked clear geographic classification. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers, and study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies and Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 for reviews. Twenty-four studies were included, with 18 from Saudi Arabia, four from the UAE, two from Oman, and one from Qatar. No studies from Bahrain or Kuwait met the inclusion criteria. Prevalence ranged widely: 2.1-77.8% in Saudi Arabia, 2.1-21.1% in the UAE, and 8.1-21.7% in Oman. Rural-specific data were scarce, though indirect evidence suggested higher rates in rural Saudi Arabia (e.g., 62.3% in northern regions). Women, younger adults in Qatar, older adults in Saudi Arabia, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status consistently showed higher depression rates. Stigma and underdiagnosis (74% undetected cases in Saudi Arabia) were key barriers. Depression prevalence in the GCC varies significantly by country, urbanization level, and demographic factors. The lack of rural-specific data and studies from Bahrain and Kuwait highlights critical research gaps. Culturally tailored interventions, improved mental health infrastructure, and anti-stigma campaigns are urgently needed, particularly for women and rural populations. Future research should standardize measurement tools and prioritize disaggregated urban-rural analyses to guide equitable policy-making.
抑郁症是全球导致残疾的主要原因，城乡人口患病率存在显著差异。在海湾合作委员会（GCC）国家，快速的城市化和社会经济变革带来了新的心理健康挑战。然而，关于城乡居民抑郁症差异的全面数据仍然有限。本系统综述旨在探讨沙特阿拉伯和其他海湾合作委员会国家的抑郁症患病率，研究相关因素和区域差异。按照系统评价和Meta分析的首选报告项目（PRISMA）指南，我们对PubMed、MEDLINE、PsycINFO、Scopus和科学网进行了系统检索，以查找2010年至2024年发表的研究。如果研究使用经过验证的诊断工具评估海湾合作委员会国家城市或农村地区成年人的抑郁症患病率，则纳入2010年至2024年发表的研究。如果研究聚焦于狭窄的亚人群或缺乏明确的地理分类，则予以排除。由两名评审员独立提取数据，并使用纽卡斯尔-渥太华量表评估观察性研究的质量，使用多重系统评价评估2评估综述的质量。纳入了24项研究，其中18项来自沙特阿拉伯，4项来自阿联酋，2项来自阿曼，1项来自卡塔尔。巴林和科威特没有研究符合纳入标准。患病率范围广泛：沙特阿拉伯为2.1%-77.8%，阿联酋为2.1%-21.1%，阿曼为8.1%-21.7%。虽然农村地区的具体数据很少，但间接证据表明沙特阿拉伯农村地区的患病率较高（例如，北部地区为62.3%）。女性、卡塔尔的年轻成年人、沙特阿拉伯的老年人以及社会经济地位较低的人群抑郁症患病率一直较高。耻辱感和诊断不足（沙特阿拉伯74%的病例未被发现）是关键障碍。海湾合作委员会国家的抑郁症患病率因国家、城市化水平和人口因素而异。巴林和科威特缺乏农村地区的具体数据和研究凸显了关键的研究空白。迫切需要开展针对文化的干预措施、改善心理健康基础设施并开展反耻辱运动，尤其是针对妇女和农村人口。未来的研究应规范测量工具，并优先进行城乡分类分析，以指导公平的政策制定。
