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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Feb;103(2):225-240.
doi: 10.1111/aogs.14714. Epub 2023 Nov 23.

Prevalence of lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies

Hong Shanshan  1 , Chen Liying  1 , Zhuang Huihong  2 , Wang Yanting  1 , Lin Tiantian  2 , Jin Tong  3 , Qin Jiawei  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Prevalence of lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies

Hong Shanshan et al. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: Lumbopelvic pain (LPP) is common in pregnant women and has a significant negative effect on physical and psychological health. In this study, for the first time, we conduct a meta-analysis to estimate the overall prevalence of LPP among pregnant women and clarify the reasons for the differences in the estimated results.

Material and methods: A systematic search of four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) was conducted from inception until October 2022. Two reviewers conducted a methodological quality assessment. Random-effects model analysis was used to estimate the pooled prevalence and the 95% confidence interval. Chi-square tests and I2 -values were used to assess the heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis (according to the participants' continent, age, body mass index [BMI], gestational age and study risk of bias), sensitivity analysis and random-effects meta-regression were used to explore the the sources of heterogeneity.

Results: Of the 1661 unique citations, 38 studies (21 533 pregnant participants) were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of LPP during pregnancy was 63% (95% CI: 0.57 to 0.69), with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 99.1%, P < 0.001). The prevalence differed by participants' continents, 71% (North America), 74% (South America), 63% (Asia), 64% (Europe), 59% (Africa) and 45% (Oceania). The prevalence differed by BMI, 64% (BMI <25), 64% (25 ≤ BMI ≤ 28), and 71% (BMI >28). The prevalence differed by age, 72% (age <25 years), 58% (25 ≤ age ≤ 30 years), and 69% (age >30 years). The prevalence were the same differed by study risk of bias, 63% (both low and moderate risk of bias studies). The prevalence were similar by gestational age, 62% (second trimester) and 63% (third trimester).

Conclusions: Lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy is common; about three-fifths of pregnant women experience LPP. More prevention and intervention research for lumbopelvic should be conducted in pregnant women with different clinical characteristics.

Keywords: lumbopelvic pain; pregnancy; prevalence; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have stated explicitly that there are no conflicts of interest in connection with this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flow diagram for study selection.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Forest plot for prevalence of lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Forest plot for prevalence of lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy stratified by participants’ continents.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Forest plot for prevalence of lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy stratified by participants’ age.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Forest plot for prevalence of lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy stratified by participants’ BMI.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Forest plot for prevalence of lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy stratified by participants’ gestational age.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Forest plot for prevalence of lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy stratified by risk of bias.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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