Prevalence of ectopic pregnancy in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ectopic pregnancy is the most common causes of maternal mortality at first trimester of pregnancy. The mortality rate of this complication is about tenfold of vaginal delivery and five times more than induced abortion. The likelihood of success in the next pregnancy is also reduced, as well as this condition has a negative effect on mental state of the mother. The prevalence varies in different countries. This systematic study and meta-analysis was performed with aim to evaluate the prevalence of ectopic pregnancy in Iran.
In this review article, databases includingPub MED, ISI, Google Scholar, Scopus and Iranian technical and scientific websites such as Magiran, Iranmedex, SID were searched using the keywords of “ectopic pregnancy¡ EP¡ Prevalence¡ incidence, Iran” and their equivalents in Persian up to 21 January 2016. In this meta-analysis on all existing literatures about the prevalence of ectopic pregnancy in Iran, 13 articles were found that based on inclusion criteria, 7 articles were selected that 5 of them in order to determine the prevalence of ectopic pregnancy in Iran and 2 in order to determine the prevalence of ectopic pregnancy in infertility centers were included in meta-analysis. Cochrane test was used to determine the homogeneity of samples. Prevalence was estimated based on Random effect in Revman software (version 5.3).
Prevalence of ectopic pregnancy before 2006 was estimated as 1.9 in 1000 pregnancies and after 2006 as 3.7 in 1,000 pregnancies and in infertility centers as 44 in 1000 pregnancies.
Prevalence of ectopic pregnancy has increased in Iran in the past decade and infertility treatment is a risk factor for it.