Deficiency of Clinical Trials on Endocrine Disorders: Perspectives from Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Clinical trials are vital for the formulation of clinical practice guidelines. However, there is a notable lack of such trials focused on endocrine and metabolic disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa. This narrative review seeks to investigate the underlying reasons for this significant issue. The region has a markedly low number of endocrinologists, and those who are available often face overwhelming clinical responsibilities, which limit their capacity for research. In addition, securing funding for clinical trials presents a substantial challenge, compounded by the fact that researchers in this area are often inadequately compensated. Furthermore, government health budgets predominantly prioritise infectious diseases, leaving minimal resources for clinical trials related to endocrine disorders. The methodology of clinical trials is specialised, and many clinicians may not be familiar with it. Moreover, recruiting a sufficient number of patients can be difficult, as certain metabolic disorders are relatively rare.