Intrauterine device survival in Iranian women: systematic review and meta-analysis

The intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the modern contraception methods that is reversible, safe, effective, and with long-term efficacy. The problem of using this method is early discontinuation. The survival of the IUD use has been reported differently in different studies. In this meta-analysis, we estimated average time of surviving in Iranian women.

We evaluated the incident of IUD removed in the Iranian women with a broad systematic review of the literature regarding MOOSES criteria. ISI, Scopus, Medline, WHO, Cochrane, Web of Science, Biological abstracts, Google Scholar and DARE and Iran Medex, SID, Magiran and IranDoc were searched. We defined inclusion and exclusion criteria for selection of articles. All chosen articles were appraised using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Data were extracted regarding prepared sheets. We used a Cochrane Q-test with a significance <0.1 for checking of heterogeneity of results. We defined I (2) = 50-75% as a medium heterogeneity and I (2) >75% as high heterogeneity. We applied both fix and random effect model by comprehensive meta-analysis software.

A total of 14 articles was included in the systematic review. These were obtained from screening 63 potentially relevant citations and reviewing 17 full-text study articles. One-year survival of IUD, for the random effects model was 78.4% (69.8-85.1%). Three-year survival for the random effects model was 69.4% (53.3-81.9%). Five years for the random effects model was 49.7% (36-63.4%).

Above half of Iranian IUD users discontinued it within 5 years after insertion, it means half of IUD expected lifetime was used and make additional costs to the state and the consumer. To reduce these costs, it is recommended for Iranian women to use the IUD with 5-year survival, and they should be consulted before insertion.