Qatar ranked Second for research on Diabetic Neuropathy

Research output on diabetes-related nerve damage identified Qatar as the world’s second-most productive country

An independent assessment of research productivity in the field of diabetes-related nerve damage has positioned Qatar as the world's second-most productive country relative to its population size.

The study, featured in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology, highlighted that Qatari scientists generated 18.1 articles on diabetic neuropathy per million inhabitants, just behind Denmark, which secured the top spot with 20.27 articles per million people. Dr. Rayaz Malik, a professor of medicine and assistant dean for clinical investigations at WCM-Q, played a key role in the majority of the published studies contributing to Qatar's high ranking.

Dr. Malik, recognized as the top medical researcher in Qatar by Research.com last year, expressed satisfaction with the independent evidence showcasing the global impact of Qatar's investment in biomedical research, particularly in the realm of diabetes. He emphasized the significance of this research in addressing the severe consequences of diabetic neuropathy, such as pain, foot ulceration, and amputation, underscoring Qatar's substantial contribution to advancing knowledge in this area.

The research paper titled 'The landscape of global research on diabetic neuropathy' was authored by researchers from the University of Exeter in the UK and Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. According to the study, Qatar ranked as the third most productive country for research in diabetic neuropathy relative to gross domestic product (GDP). This position placed Qatar behind Denmark (1st) and the United Kingdom (2nd), surpassing countries with strong scientific reputations such as the United States (14th), Germany (11th), Switzerland (10th), Canada (8th), and the Netherlands (6th).

The study also highlighted the robust international collaboration fostered by Dr. Malik between Qatar and the United Kingdom, a leading nation in diabetes research. Dr. Malik, affiliated with WCM-Q, serves as a practicing consultant physician in endocrinology and diabetes at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).

He is renowned for pioneering the application of Corneal Confocal Microscopy (CCM), a rapid and non-invasive ophthalmic imaging technique. Dr. Malik's groundbreaking work extends to the diagnosis and prediction of the progression of various neurodegenerative diseases, including diabetic neuropathy, long-COVID, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia, schizophrenia, and autism, among others. His contributions have played a significant role in positioning Qatar as a leading center for research in diabetic neuropathy on a global scale.

Source: The Peninsula