Early identification and prevention of cardiometabolic risk in Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a scoping review relevant to primary care and family medicine

Objectives This scoping review was aimed at mapping and identifying the current evidence on the early identification and prevention of cardiometabolic risks in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, in the context of primary care and family medicine, and to identify where evidence is concentrated or absent. Methods Original studies in English were searched in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, between January 2020 and February 2026. The eligible studies were conducted in Gulf Cooperation Council countries and focused on cardiometabolic risk, early identification, screening, prevention, risk reduction, lifestyle interventions, health education, or preventive strategies. Data were charted using a structured form and synthesised descriptively. Results The evidence indicated that the high and clustered burden of dysglycemia, prediabetes, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and central obesity existed among adults, children, adolescents, university students, community populations, primary care settings, and biobank-based studies. Studies demonstrated the value of risk scores, anthropometric measurements, biomarkers, and community screening strategies. Prevention and early-intervention studies were less frequently represented and heterogeneous across settings. Conclusion Current Gulf Cooperation Council evidence supports the importance of early cardiometabolic risk identification and prevention but also highlights the need for integrated prevention pathways within primary care and family medicine.