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Meta-Analysis
. 2025 Apr;24(4):e70121.
doi: 10.1111/jocd.70121.

Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Angel Pérez-Buenfil  1 , Alejandra Morales-Sánchez  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Angel Pérez-Buenfil et al. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025 Apr.

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by a preoccupation with ≥ 1 perceived defects in physical appearance, which leads to social anxiety and avoidance. This excessive focus on appearance is linked to dissatisfaction with physical features, disappointment with cosmetic treatments, or frustration from not meeting perceived beauty standards.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of BDD in dermatology, psychiatric, plastic surgery, general population, and world regions, as well as the prevalence of BDD using different diagnostic tools.

Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature in Medline via PubMed, Embase, and Latin American databases using MeSH terms "body dysmorphic disorder" and "prevalence" with filters for original and cross-sectional studies. Statistical analysis was performed using RStudio, and bias assessment was made using JBI Critical appraisal.

Results: The overall prevalence of BDD in the general population was 17%, with higher rates in females than in males. The prevalence in plastic surgery patients was 24%. The highest prevalence of BDD was found in Latin America compared to other world regions.

Conclusions: BDD is a highly prevalent disorder, and increased awareness of the disease could improve its approach in plastic surgery and other medical fields.

Keywords: body dysmorphic disorder; meta‐analysis; prevalence; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
PRISMA flow diagram.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Prevalence of body dysmorphic disease in dermatology patients.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Prevalence of body dysmorphic disease in community studies.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Prevalence of body dysmorphic disease in plastic surgery patients.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Prevalence of body dysmorphic disease in patients with psychiatric disorders.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Prevalence of body dysmorphic disease in studies using the BDDQ questionnaire.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Prevalence of body dysmorphic disease in studies using the SCID.
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 8
Prevalence of body dysmorphic disease in studies using other diagnostic tools: MINI, YBOCS, DCQ, MBSRQ‐AS, and DQ.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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