Prevalence of urolithiasis in adults of the Eastern Mediterranean region: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Mohammed Alhakami, Ismaeel Alshoaibi, Basheer Abdo, Mohammed Abdullah, Khaled Alzanen, Nabil Albadani, Faisal Ahmed, Khalil Al-naggar, Nabil Aljuma’ai, Ibrahim Alnadhari, Abdulghani Al-Hagri, Fadhl Alareefi
Abstract
Purpose: To determine the pooled prevalence of urolithiasis among adults in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) and to analyze variations by gender and geography. Materials and methods: This systematic review searched international databases (Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Embase, ProQuest) from inception until July 2024 for observational studies reporting urolithiasis prevalence in EMRO adults. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran’s Q test and the I² index. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed using STATA v14. Results: From 1,773 identified records, 39 studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of urolithiasis was 14.17% (95% CI: 10.88–17.47). The prevalence was significantly higher in men (19.48%; 95% CI: 13.58–25.37) than in women (13.34%; 95% CI: 9.37–17.31). Subgroup analyses revealed the highest prevalence in upper-middle-income countries (17.40%) and in Iran (17.89%). Meta-regression showed no statistically significant temporal trend (Reg Coef = 0.02, P = .128) or association with the Human Development Index (Reg Coef = 0.50, P = .568). Conclusion: This meta-analysis confirms a high and rising prevalence of urolithiasis in the EMRO region, with a significant disease burden in men. These findings highlight a critical public health issue and underscore the need for targeted preventive strategies and resource allocation across the region.