The global prevalence of gallstones in pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Nader Salari; Razie Hasheminezhad; Parisa Heidarisharaf; Ali Asghar Khaleghi; Arezou Haji Azizi; Shamarina Shohaimi; Masoud Mohammadi

doi:10.1016/j.eurox.2023.100237

The global prevalence of gallstones in pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol X. 2023 Sep 6:19:100237. doi: 10.1016/j.eurox.2023.100237. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Authors

Nader Salari^{1

2}, Razie Hasheminezhad³, Parisa Heidarisharaf⁴, Ali Asghar Khaleghi⁵, Arezou Haji Azizi⁴, Shamarina Shohaimi⁶, Masoud Mohammadi⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
² Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
³ Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
⁴ Department of Psychology, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
⁵ Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Gerash University of Medical Sciences, Gerash, Iran.
⁶ Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Abstract

Background: Gallstone disease is the second most common non-gynecological disease that may require surgical intervention during pregnancy. This study investigates the global prevalence of gallstones in pregnancy through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that reported the global prevalence of gallstones in pregnancy was conducted. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were searched for studies published up to September 2022.

Results: In a review of 31 studies with a sample size of 190,714 people, the I² heterogeneity test showed high heterogeneity (I² = 98.8%). Therefore, the random effects method was used to analyze the results. The prevalence of gallstones was reported as 3.6% (95% CI: 1.9-6.7%). The highest prevalence of gallstones by continent was reported in America, at 6.8% (95% CI: 4.2-10.8%). The Egger test showed no evidence of publication bias (p = 0.609).

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, health policymakers should emphasize to the target community and the medical staff dealing with pregnant women the importance of screening for gallstones during pregnancy.

Keywords: Burden; Cholelithiasis; Conception; Gallstone; Gestation; Gravidity; Outbreak; Pregnancy; Prevalence.

Publication types

Review