The epidemiology and socioeconomic associates of adverse effects of medical treatment in the Eastern Mediterranean Region from 1990 to 2021

Concerns about the adverse effects of medical treatment (AEMT) are increasing along with the global use of medical treatments. However, comprehensive information regarding the epidemiology of AEMT in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is lacking. This study assessed the burden of AEMT in the EMR from 1990 to 2021 by age, sex, and socio-demographic index (SDI). Data on the prevalence, incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) of AEMT in the EMR was extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study. Counts, age-standardized rates, percent changes in the rates, and 95% uncertainty intervals were reported. In the EMR, the burden of AEMT declined over the past three decades, with notable variation across countries and population groups. In 2021, females experienced a higher burden than males in most EMR countries and at the regional level. The highest DALY and death rates occurred in early childhood and among the elderly. Countries with a high SDI tended to have higher incidence rates, whereas those with a lower SDI experienced higher DALY rates. The epidemiology of AEMT exhibited considerable variation based on age, sex, and socioeconomic status in the EMR, highlighting the need for context-specific patient safety initiatives and medical error prevention programs across the region.