Delays in presentation, diagnosis, and treatment in Sudanese women with breast cancer: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The poor prognosis of breast cancer in Sudan could be due to delayed treatment and diagnosis at an advanced stage. Our study aimed to assess the extent of delays from onset of symptoms to treatment in Sudanese women with breast cancer, as well as identify factors contributing to these delays. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a multi-center cross sectional study between March and April 2023. Data were collected from the medical records and interviews with women with breast cancer in the two main oncology centers in Sudan. Linear regression was used to identify the predictors of delayed presentation. RESULTS: We interviewed 601 women with breast cancer. The majority of women (50.1%) were diagnosed at locally advanced or metastatic disease. The median interval from the onset of symptoms to receiving oncologic treatment was 221 days (IQR = 92, 496). The longest delay was the presentation delay 61 (31 244) days. The median duration for diagnosis delay and treatment delay was 21 (10.57) days and 27 (10.64) days, respectively. Predictors of early presentation included, being young (ß = -5.3; 95% CI = 0.06 to 10), married (ß = -264; 95% CI = -427 to -101), divorced (ß = -306; 95% CI = -549 to -63), or widowed (ß = -320; 95% CI = --543 to -97), urban residence (ß = -107; 95% CI = -213 to -2.3), and seeking traditional healer (ß = -204; 95% CI = -383 to -26). CONCLUSION: Most Sudanese women with breast cancer experience significant patient delays, often presenting at advanced stages. Factors like being single, older, and living in rural areas contribute to these delays. Increasing breast cancer education, improving healthcare access and addressing sociodemographic barriers can potentially expedite diagnosis and improve outcomes.

Pancreatic cancer in Saudi Arabia (2005-2020): increasing trend.

Pancreatic cancer, a highly fatal malignancy, has shown a global rise in the incidence and mortality rates. However, these rates vary significantly across different regions worldwide. This study aims to assess the incidence and mortality of pancreatic cancer in Saudi Arabia. We collected the data from 16 annual cancer incidence reports in Saudi Arabia for the study period (2005-2020) and from the WHO's IARC Global Cancer Observatory website. Although the burden of pancreatic cancer in Saudi Arabia is relatively lower compared to global rates, the disease incidence has shown a steady increase over the study period, in addition to regional variations within the country. The disease predominantly affects the elderly population, aged 50 years and above in both genders, with males exhibiting higher rates than females. Further studies are required to identify the potential risk factors for pancreatic cancer in the Saudi population.

SIOP PODC-adapted treatment guidelines for craniopharyngioma in low- and middle-income settings.

Pediatric craniopharyngioma is a rare tumor with excellent survival but significant long-term morbidities due to the loco-regional tumor growth or secondary to its treatment. Visual impairment, panhypopituitarism, hypothalamic damage, and behavioral changes are among the main challenges. This tumor should be managed under the care of a multidisciplinary team to determine the optimum treatment within the available resources. This is particularly important for low middle-income countries where resources are variable. This report provides risk-stratified management guidelines for children diagnosed with craniopharyngioma in a resource-limited setting.

Medical students' perception towards E-learning during COVID 19 pandemic in a high burden developing country.

BACKGROUND: In High-income countries, many academic institutions are using E-learning during COVID 19 Pandemic. However, in limited-resource countries, like Sudan, shifting towards E-learning requires many adjustments to be made to make sure the E-learning is held in a proper manner, as best as possible. This study was undertaken to assess medical students' perception towards implementing E-learning during COVID 19 Pandemic and to highlight for E-learning implementation in Sudan as an example of a limited-resource setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 10 and 25 of May 2020 among the undergraduate medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Gezira, Sudan. The study used self-administered online-based questionnaire. E-mail and social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp were utilized to disseminate the questionnaire. RESULTS: The total numbers of 358 undergraduate medical students responded to the online survey questionnaire. The majority (87.7 %) of students agreed that the closure of the university is an essential decision to control the spread of the COVID-19 infection. Approximately two-thirds (64 %) of students perceived that E-learning is the best solution during COVID 19 lockdown. The level of medical students (Pre-clerkship and Clerkship) and place of residence had significant correlation (p-value < 0.05) with medical students opinion regards starting the E-learning. Internet bandwidth and connectivity limitation, unfamiliarity with E-learning system, technical support limitation and time flexibility in case of technical problems during online exams, and lack of face-to-face interaction were the factors considered by medical students to be against the E-learning implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Most medical students had a positive perception of E-learning. However, there are many challenges considered as an inhibitory factor for utilizing electronic technologies for medical education. We recommend that challenges of E-learning in our limited-resource setting should be systematically evaluated and that effective strategies should be developed to overcome their inhibitory effects.

Recommendations for the treatment of children with radiotherapy in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC): A position paper from the Pediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS-LMIC) and Pediatric Oncology in Developing Countries (PODC) working groups of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP).

Pediatric radiotherapy is a critical part of pediatric oncology protocols and the quality of the radiotherapy may determine the future quality of life for long-term survivors. Multidisciplinary team decision making provides the basis for high-quality care. However, delivery of high-quality radiotherapy is dependent on resources. This article provides guidelines for delivery of good quality radiation therapy in resource-limited countries based on rational procurement and maintenance planning, protocol development, three-dimensional planning, quality assurance, and adequate staff numbers and training.

Posterior cranial fossa tumours in children at National Cancer Institute, Sudan: a single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Posterior cranial fossa tumours (PCF) comprise 54-70% of childhood brain tumours. The clinical profile and outcomes of these tumours differ in area of the world. The aim of this study is to describe clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of posterior cranial fossa tumours in Sudan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of children diagnosed with posterior cranial fossa tumours and treated between January 1998 and December 2015 at National Cancer Institute, Sudan. RESULTS: A total of 31 paediatric patients with a posterior cranial fossa brain tumour were identified over the study period. The mean age was 7.9 years (standard deviation (SD) = 3.37). Females were slightly more affected (51%) than males (49%), and the majority of patients were from rural areas (71%). Brainstem tumours were the most frequent tumour type (48%) followed by medulloblastoma (36%). The mean pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval was 3.6 months (SD = 3.95). Overall survival rate of our total study population at 1, 2 and 5 years was 23, 19 and 13%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study draws attention to the situation of paediatric brain tumours in Sudan. Late presentation, misdiagnosis and limited diagnostic and treatment resources are challenges that may contribute to poor outcome in these patients.

Collapse of Cancer Care Under the Current Conflict in Sudan.

Sudan has been under an armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia since April 15, 2023. The conflict has turned the country into the largest internal displacement humanitarian crisis with 9.05 million internally displaced persons including 2.2 million children younger than 5 years and caused 1.47 million Sudanese to flee the country as refugees. The conflict has had a major destructive impact on the health system, which has incurred targeting with air raids, ground invasion, vandalization, looting of assets and supplies, and killing of doctors, nurses, and other health personnel. Khartoum Oncology Hospital, Sudan's main cancer hub for treatment, diagnostics, and research has become nonfunctional as a result of the conflict. The National Cancer Institute in Wad Medani, the second largest hub, faced a similar fate as the conflict spread to Al-Gezira State. Patients with cancer have been displaced multiple times in Sudan with grave consequences on the continuity of care, worsening of their disease outcomes and palpable negative impacts on children. The oncology workforce in Sudan have themselves been displaced yet are working hard to provide services and care for patients under impossible circumstances. Sudan's doctors in diaspora have rallied to provide support but they face multiple obstacles. As the conflict continues to spread, we call upon the WHO, the United Nations Children's Fund, St Jude Hospital, and all relevant partners to implement an immediate evacuation operation with urgent air lifts of the affected children to continue their cancer care in neighboring countries as was done in Ukraine and Gaza.

Five months into conflict: near total collapse of cancer services in Sudan.

The onset of the Sudanese military conflict on April 15, 2023, has had a profound impact on the healthcare infrastructure across the entire nation. While wars impact all individuals with non-communicable diseases, cancer patients are particularly vulnerable. The war has influenced the treatment of Sudanese cancer patients in many ways. It has disrupted and delayed the diagnostic process, suspended surgery, and all forms of cancer management such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and palliative care. This unfortunate situation has likely worsened the outcomes for many Sudanese cancer patients. This editorial reflects the situation of cancer services in Sudan post conflict.

Clinicopathological profile and management of thyroid carcinoma: a Sub-Saharan country experience.

BACKGROUND: In Sudan, there is limited knowledge on the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and pathological patterns of thyroid cancer. To address this shortcoming, we studied the clinical, pathological and treatment patterns of thyroid cancer at the National Cancer Institute ‒ University of Gezira (NCI-UG), Sudan. METHODS: We performed a retrospective health facility-based study of patients with thyroid cancer who were treated at NCI-UG from January 2009 to December 2017. RESULTS: A total of 139 patients with thyroid cancer were identified during the study period. Tumors were more common among women (69%). Goiter was the main presenting symptom (85%). The most common type of thyroid cancer was follicular carcinoma (41%), followed by papillary carcinoma (24%), then anaplastic carcinoma (20%). The mean age of the women was 56.3 years (SD ± 14.7), compared to 52.5 years (SD ± 16.6) for the men. The frequencies of stage I, II, III, and IV were 17%, 22%, 16%, and 45%, respectively. Different types of thyroidectomies were performed in 79% of the cases, lobectomy in 4%, and no surgery in 17%. Only 28% of the cases received radioactive iodine. Palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy were prescribed to 17% and 37% of the cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Thyroid cancer is more prevalent among women and most patients present at later stages. The dominance of follicular type suggests that the majority of this population is iodine-deficient.

Colorectal Cancer in Saudi Arabia: The Way Forward.

Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in Saudi males and the second most common cancer in Saudi females with increasing incidence throughout the last four decades. Although the disease incidence is on the rise, still there is no systemic screening for colorectal cancer in the Saudi population. Early onset colorectal cancer is common in the Saudi population and up to 50% in Saudi patients diagnosed at late stages with regional and distal metastasis. Therefore, more efforts are required to control the disease in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this regard,  systematic work at national level is highly required to make  colorectal cancer screening for population at risk part of the routine primary health care activities. This paper highlights the current situation of colorectal cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with relation to incidence, mortality and morbidity in addition to the disease control efforts going on. Finally, some recommendations are provided to strengthen the control program of colorectal cancer.

Clinical pathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC): a retrospective study from Sudan.

Background: Worldwide, renal cell carcinoma comprises 2.2% and 1.8% of global cancer incidence and mortality, respectively. Studies of epidemiology, treatment modalities and outcomes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Sudan are scarce. To address this shortcoming, we evaluated baseline information on the epidemiology, types of treatment and outcomes of RCC at Gezira Hospital for Renal Diseases and Surgery (GHRDS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Methods: We performed a retrospective, descriptive study of all patients with RCC, who were treated in GHRDS and NCI from January 2000 to December 2015. Results: A total of 189 patients with RCC were identified over the study period. Tumours were more common among male patients (56%) and involved the left kidney in 52% of cases. The median age at diagnosis was 57 years (range: 21-90 years). Loin pain was the most frequent symptom (n = 103 patients) followed by weight loss (n = 103 patients) and haematuria (n = 65 patients). The most common histopathologic type of RCC was clear cell (73.5%), followed by papillary (13.8%) and chromophobe (1.6%). The relative frequencies of stages I-IV were 3.2%, 14.3%, 29.1% and 53.4%, respectively. The overall median survival rate was 24 months, and the 5-year survival rate was 40%. The 5-year survival rate in stages I-IV was 95%, 83%, 39%, and 17%, respectively. Advanced stages and higher-grade tumour were associated with worse survival. The median survival of stage IV patients was better for patients who underwent nephrectomy (11.0 months) compared to those who did not undergo nephrectomy (4.0 months) (p value = 0.28). Conclusion: Our findings reveal poor outcomes for patients with RCC in Sudan, which is most likely due to the high proportion of patients presenting with advanced stages at the time of initial presentation.

Relapse-free survival in Sudanese women with non-metastatic breast cancer.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and a major cause of cancer mortality in Sudan. However, there is lack of data related to BC relapse. Therefore, this study was undertaken to estimate the 5-year relapse free survival (RFS) rate and factors related to BC relapse in Sudanese women with non-metastatic BC. Methods: Data of BC women with BC diagnosed and treated at the National Cancer Institute-University of Gezira during 2012 were retrieved from medical records. The cases were followed-up through hospital records and telephone contact. Survival functions were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. The prognostic factors were tested using univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses. Results: We included 168 women with median age of 45 years (range, 22-83 years). 53.5%of women had stage III at time of diagnosis, whereas 4.2% and 42.3% of women presented with stage I and stage II, respectively. At the end of 5 years follow-up, with median follow-up period of 64 months, 94 (56.0%) women were alive in remission, 11 (6.5%) were alive with BC relapse, 49 (29.2%) were dead, and survival status was unknown in 14 (8.3%) women. Most of the occurred relapses were distant relapses. The 5-year RFS was 59%. The independent predictors of relapse were: larger primary tumor size (HR:1.84, 95% CI: 1.54-5.48, p=0.018); involved axillary lymph nodes with tumour (HR:  2.91, 95% CI:  1.53-7.91, p=0.001); not receiving adjuvant radiotherapy (HR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.22-3.95, p=0.009); and not receiving hormone therapy (HR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.01-2.76, p= 0.046). Conclusion: We found a high risk of BC relapse in our resource-constrained settings. Advanced stages, not receiving adjuvant radiotherapy, and not receiving adjuvant hormone therapy were independent predictors associated with worse 5-year RFS. Therefore, enhancing the early diagnosis of BC and improving timely access to appropriate treatments represent key approaches to achieving better treatment outcomes.

Incidence Characteristics and Histological Types of Head and Neck Cancer among Adults in Central Sudan: A Retrospective Study.

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are prevalent in Sudan, but the reasons for this and the incidence of different types of HNCs are not well understood. A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted to provide baseline data on the epidemiology of HNCs among patients treated at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in central Sudan. All cancer cases from 2016 to 2020 were retrieved from the NCI records. Of the 9475 new cancer patients who were registered at the NCI during the study period, 1033 (11%) had HNCs, of whom 767 (74.2%) were adults. The mean age of the adult patients was 54.5 years (standard deviation 15.8) and 449 (58.5%) patients were male. The annual incidence in adults was 4/105 population. The most common HNC sites were the nasopharynx (25.3%), hypopharynx (22.8%), and oral cavity (22.2%). Carcinoma was the most common diagnosis (87.6%), followed by lymphoma (5.6%). Most patients' tumors were at a locally advanced (22%) or metastatic stage (47%) of HNCs at the time of presentation. Further studies to identify risk factors for HNCs, particularly for the most prevalent types in central Sudan, are needed. In addition, Sudan requires capacity building for cancer, including a national cancer registry.

Adverse events of opioids for cancer-related pain in a resource-limited setting: a cross-sectional study from Sudan.

Aim: Data on the adverse events of opioids for cancer-related pain in Sudanese patients are limited. We conducted this study to evaluate the pattern and severity of adverse events of immediate release morphine, and tramadol used in the treatment of cancer-related pain. A secondary aim was to determine the response rate to opioids for pain control in cancer patients treated at the National Cancer Institute-University of Gezira (NCI-UG), Sudan. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at NCI-UG between 12 March 2019 and 12 May 2019. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect the clinical data of cancer patients on oral opioids for pain control during the study periods. Chi square test was applied to determine whether there is a significant association between the adverse events and the demographic/clinical variables. p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant in all analyses. Results: One-hundred and thirteen patients were screened in the study. Of these, three suffered from cognitive dysfunction and ten patients declined to participate in the study. Thus, 100 patients met the criteria for inclusion in this study. Breast cancer was the most frequent diagnosis (17%) followed by colorectal cancer (16%). The majority (91%) of patients had advanced or metastatic disease. The most frequently reported opioids-related adverse events were dry mouth (68%), constipation (61%), sedation (49%), nausea (31%) and vomiting (24%). Most of these symptoms were graded as mild to moderate and no patient had grade IV or V adverse events. Constipation and dry mouth were more frequent among patients received morphine compared to patients received tramadol (p value < 0.005). Pain was controlled in 36% of patients, improved in 53% and not controlled in 11% of them. Conclusion: This study shows a high prevalence of opioids-related adverse events. The majority of the opioids-related adverse events were grade I or grade II. There seem to be differences in the prevalence of opioids-related adverse events between patients receiving tramadol and those treated with morphine. Moreover, suboptimal pain control adds to the burden on already limited health resources. Therefore, the adequacy of cancer pain management in our setting should be systematically evaluated and effective cancer pain management programmes should be developed.

Evaluating utility and feasibility of mismatch repair testing of colorectal cancer patients in a low-middle-income country.

Molecular pathology services for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Sudan represent a significant unmet clinical need. In a retrospective cohort study involving 50 patients diagnosed with CRC at three major medical settings in Sudan, we aimed to outline the introduction of a molecular genetic service for CRC in Sudan, and to explore the CRC molecular features and their relationship to patient survival and clinicopathological characteristics. Mismatch repair (MMR) and BRAF (V600E) mutation status were determined by immunohistochemistry. A mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) subtype was demonstrated in 16% of cases, and a presumptive Lynch Syndrome (LS) diagnosis was made in up to 14% of patients. dMMR CRC in Sudan is characterized by younger age at diagnosis and a higher incidence of right-sided tumours. We report a high mortality in Sudanese CRC patients, which correlates with advanced disease stage, and MMR status. Routine MMR immunohistochemistry (with sequential BRAF mutation analysis) is a feasible CRC prognostic and predictive molecular biomarker, as well as a screening tool for LS in low-middle-income countries (LMICs).

Survival Outcomes of Breast Cancer in Sudanese Women: A Hospital-Based Study.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading malignancy among Sudanese women. Yet, data on survival are limited. This study aimed to determine 5-year overall survival (OS) of BC in Sudanese women, and identify prognostic demographic and clinicopathologic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted by reviewing data of women with BC diagnosed and treated at the National Cancer Institute-University of Gezira during 2012, and followed up to end of August 2018. Data were retrieved from medical records and analyzed, OS was determined, and the prognostic factors were explored. RESULTS: A total of 225 cases were recruited. The median age at presentation was 45 years (range, 22-85 years). Clinical stage I, II, III, and IV represented 3.1%, 31.6%, 48%, and 17.3%, respectively. Most women (81.3%) were treated with curative intent. Of those, 25.1% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Mastectomy was the commonest (61.7%) type of surgery. The median follow-up period was 59.8 months with mean OS time of 55.7 months. The 5-year cumulative survival rate was 58%. The 5-year OS rates for stages I, II, III, and IV were 71.5%, 82.4%, 56.5%, and 8.4%, respectively. For lymph node (LN)-positive cases, 5-year OS rate was 63% and for LN-negative was 83.5%. Presenting with advanced-stage disease and positive LN status associated with short OS times (P < .005). CONCLUSION: OS of women with BC in Central Sudan is worse than in the developed world, but similar to African countries. Our findings indicate that advanced stage at diagnosis and lymph nodal involvement are strong predictors of short survival times. Raising awareness and introducing early detection programs are critical for better survival of these patients.

Axillary Lymph Node Dissection for Breast Cancer: Efficacy and Complication in Developing Countries.

PURPOSE: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) frequently is performed as part of the surgical management of breast cancer as a therapeutic and prognostic index, but increasingly has been perceived as associated with significant complications. Data on efficacy and complications of ALND in Sudan are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and complications of ALND in patients with breast cancer treated with mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery. METHODS: We performed a prospective, hospital-based study in women with invasive breast cancer who underwent modified radical mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery with ALND between September 2014 and August 2015. The efficacy of ALND was defined as retrieval of ≥ 10 lymph nodes. Complications of ALND were assessed objectively and subjectively and defined as either present or absent. RESULTS: Of 96 patients with breast cancer included in the study, 40 (42%) developed postaxillary clearance complications. The median follow-up time was 18 months (range, 12 to 24 months). Numbness was reported by 21.9% of patients. Seroma was noted in 15.6% and lymphedema in 9.4%. Approximately 9% reported episodes of infection or inflammation at the surgical site. None of the studied factors were found to affect the incidence of complications significantly. Ten or more lymph nodes were retrieved in 81.3% of patients, and nodal metastasis was found in 62.5%. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the prevalence of undesirable adverse effects after ALND is 42%, with paresthesia and seroma being the most prevalent. The lymphedema prevalence was low in relation to other evaluated symptoms.

Olanzapine for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Comparative Study From Sudan.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a distressing adverse effect. Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist (NK1RA)-containing regimens are the standard regimens for CINV prophylaxis in patients with cancer receiving highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC or MEC). NK1RA agents are expensive and were not registered in Sudan. Recently, regimens containing olanzapine, the available and affordable medication in Sudan, were introduced as another option. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of an olanzapine-containing regimen with the antiemetic regimen that was currently used in our institute for CINV prophylaxis in HEC/MEC settings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study prospectively compared an olanzapine-containing regimen (acute phase: olanzapine, ondansetron, dexamethasone; delayed phase: olanzapine, ondansetron) with an ondansetron/dexamethasone regimen (acute phase: ondansetron, dexamethasone; delayed phase: ondansetron) in adult patients with cancer receiving HEC or MEC. The study outcomes were complete response (CR; no emesis and no rescue medications) and nausea control (no nausea), which were assessed in the acute (0 to 24 hours), delayed (24 to 120 hours), and overall (0 to 120 hours) phases. RESULTS: The study included 131 patients (olanzapine-containing: 50 patients; ondansetron/dexamethasone: 81 patients). CR and nausea control were higher in the olanzapine-containing than in the ondansetron/dexamethasone regimen (CR: acute phase, 86% v 71.6%; P = .086; delayed phase, 72% v 30.9%; P < .001; overall phase, 66% v 25.9%; P < .001; nausea control: acute phase, 86% v 74.1%; P = .127; delayed phase, 76% v 34.6%; P < .001; overall phase, 72% v 29.6%; P < .001). The major toxicity of olanzapine was grade 1 and 2 sedation or drowsiness (25 patients). CONCLUSION: An olanzapine-containing regimen has better efficacy for prevention of CINV in the HEC/MEC setting. Oncologists working in a limited-resource setting should be familiar with olanzapine-containing regimens, because NK1RA agents are not affordable and not easily available.

Bibliometrics of Sudanese scientific publications: Subjects, institutions, collaboration, citation and recommendations / Bibliometría de publicaciones científicas sudanesas: temas, instituciones, colaboración, citas y recomendaciones

Abstract Introduction: Sudan is the third largest country in Africa and has rich reserves of petroleum and other ground resources, but its per capita Gross Domestic Product is only $808 and researchers work in insufficient institutional facilities and with little funding. Previous studies about its scientific productivity have been limited to specific subjects and relatively short periods, with no large analyses until now. Objective: To analyze the scientific output of Sudan in depth, considering all research areas and several decades of scientific activity. Methods: We retrieved the documents with "Sudan" in field country in the Science Citation Index Expanded for the period 1900-2019. Results: We retrieved over 9 000 publications and found that most were articles; that citation was higher for review articles and book chapters, and that this index mostly covered articles in English. Beginning in 1972, the number of publications in this database has increased rapidly. The citation lifespan indicates slow growth in the Sudanese scientific literature, and collaboration is frequent both nationally and internationally, possibly because the scarce resources make collaboration almost compulsory. Most external collaboration is done with Saudi Arabia but citation is higher for articles resulting from international megaprojects, led by Europe and the USA, in which Sudanese researchers play secondary roles. Research focusses on applied technological subjects with little innovation value. Women play a smaller role in Sudanese science. Conclusions: Our recommendations for Sudanese science include increasing the number of women in leading research positions; providing funding directly to researchers (i.e., bypassing bureaucratic bodies); increasing basic research to avoid stagnation; training Sudanese researchers for leading positions; and identifying specific research areas where Sudan can lead in its region.

Resumen Introducción: Sudán es el tercer país más grande de África y tiene ricas reservas de petróleo y otros recursos terrestres, pero su Producto Interno Bruto per cápita es de solo $ 808 y los investigadores trabajan en instalaciones institucionales deficientes y con poca financiación. Los estudios previos sobre su productividad científica se han limitado a temas específicos y períodos relativamente cortos. Objetivo: Analizar la producción científica de Sudán en profundidad, considerando todas las áreas de investigación y varias décadas. Métodos: Recuperamos los documentos con "Sudán" como país de origen en el Science Citation Index Expanded para el período 1900-2019. Resultados: Hallamos más de 9 000 publicaciones y encontramos que la mayoría eran artículos; que fueron más citados los artículos de revisión y capítulos de libros, y que esta base de datos cubría principalmente artículos en inglés; desde 1972, el número de publicaciones en ella ha aumentado rápidamente. La vida útil de las citas indica un crecimiento lento en la literatura científica sudanesa, y la colaboración es frecuente tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, posiblemente porque los escasos recursos hacen que la colaboración sea casi obligatoria. La mayor parte de la colaboración externa se realiza con Arabia Saudita, pero hay más citas para los artículos resultantes de megaproyectos internacionales, dirigidos por Europa y Estados Unidos, en los cuales los investigadores sudaneses desempeñan papeles secundarios. La investigación se centra en temas de tecnología aplicada con poco valor de innovación. Conclusiones: Nuestras recomendaciones para la ciencia sudanesa incluyen aumentar el número de mujeres en altos puestos; proporcionar financiación directamente a los investigadores (sin pasar por organismos burocráticos); ir más allá de la investigación aplicada para evitar el estancamiento; capacitar al personal sudanés para puestos de liderazgo; e identificar áreas de investigación específicas donde Sudán puede liderar en su región.