Global prevalence of post-miscarriage anxiety, depression, and stress: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mental disorders, ranked as the sixth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years in 2017, present significant challenges to healthcare systems. Anxiety and depression are frequently reported among pregnant women, particularly after experiencing a miscarriage. We aim to evaluate the global prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress in women following a miscarriage.

We searched electronic databases, including PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and ClinicalKey, for studies published in English from January 1995 to December 2024. We adhered to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and reported it using the PRISMA 2020 statement. Anxiety, depression, and stress were the primary outcomes we assessed.

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we included 29 studies with 35 375 participants. Participants' age ranged from 18 to 45 years. We found that 32.5% of women experienced anxiety, 30.1% depression, and 33.6% stress within six weeks following a miscarriage. Notably, the prevalence of these mental health disorders was higher in low- and middle-income countries.

Our findings underscore the impact of mental health on overall well-being, particularly after a miscarriage. Healthcare professionals need to acknowledge the importance of mental health during the six weeks following a miscarriage. Early identification and treatment of mental disorders are crucial for mitigating their effects on women's mental health and improving outcomes in future pregnancies.

PROSPERO: CRD42024578605.