Digital health interventions for chronic disease prevention and management in Saudi Arabian populations: A systematic review

Objectives: Saudi Arabia faces substantial chronic disease burden, with diabetes affecting ~7 million citizens and cardiovascular diseases, accounting for 37% of deaths. Vision 2030 prioritizes digital health solutions for the prevention and management of health issues. This systematic review evaluated digital health interventions for chronic disease prevention and management in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO CRD420251107628), we searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL (January 2010– July 2025) for studies evaluating digital health interventions (mobile apps, telehealth, wearables, AI tools, SMS, and remote monitoring) in Saudi adults. Two reviewers independently assessed quality using Cochrane risk of bias-2 (RoB), RoB in non-randomized studies of interventions, and mixed methods appraisal tool. Meta-analysis used RevMan 5.4 with random-effects models. Grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation evaluated evidence certainty. Results: Thirteen studies (3783 participants) met the inclusion criteria. SMS programs reduced hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) from 9.9 ± 1.8% to 9.5 ± 1.7%; mobile systems enhanced glycemic control. Sehhaty platform reached >24 million users. Meta-analysis showed moderate-certainty evidence for HbA1c improvement (MD −0.49%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.76 to −0.22) and medication adherence (odds ratio 2.34, 95% CI: 1.67–3.28), but low-certainty evidence for blood pressure control. Challenges included technical barriers (45.6% of cardiovascular patients) and lower rural adoption. Conclusion: Moderate-certainty evidence supports digital health interventions – particularly mobile apps and SMS – for chronic disease management in Saudi Arabia. However, evidence for blood pressure control and long-term engagement remains of low certainty. Implementation requires cultural adaptation, healthcare system integration, and addressing barriers in elderly and rural populations. Future research should assess long-term effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and tailored implementation strategies.