Abstract
BACKGROUND: To assess the association between depression in women and the risk of spontaneous abortion (SA) after pregnancy. METHODS: Relevant studies were identified through searches of the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. The pooled effect sizes were presented as relative risk (RR) along with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and data analysis was conducted using the random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 31 studies involving 8,919,953 women were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated a significant association between depression and increased risk of SA (RR = 1.34, 95% CI [1.27, 1.41], p < 0.001; I(2) = 87%). Sensitivity analysis did not identify outlier studies. Subgroup analysis enhanced the robustness and credibility of the results. Egger regression test revealed a low risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to women without depression, women with depression is associated with an increased risk of SA after pregnancy, an association that is unrelated to the use of antidepressant medication.