Abdu Seid Mohammed, Assefa Ebrahim Msaye
Biomedical Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
Biomedical Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2025 Jan 4;12(1):e001441. doi: 10.1136/bmjgast-2024-001441.
Gallstone disease is a prevalent global health issue, but its impact in Africa remains unclear. This study aims to summarise and synthesise available data on the prevalence of gallstone disease across populations in Africa.
Systematic review and meta-analysis, reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.
PubMed, Google Scholar, Hinari, and African Journal Online were searched, from 2000 up to 31 December 2023.
The review included all observational studies that reported the prevalence of gallstone disease and were published in English.
Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool. Data were pooled using a random-effects and inverse variance method, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) calculated. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q statistic and quantified with the I² statistic.
A total of 260 studies were identified from electronic databases, with 10 meeting the inclusion criteria. The combined prevalence of gallstone disease was 17% (95% CI 9% to 24%), but with high statistical heterogeneity (I²=99.9%). Only 8 of the 10 included studies provided prevalence data by sex, showing notably higher rates in females (15.3%) compared with males (3.7%).
The study reveals a pooled gallstone disease prevalence of 17% in Africa, with higher rates in females. However, the significant heterogeneity, the lack of data from most countries and an imbalance in data from other countries, the diverse study populations, and the limited number of studies necessitate cautious interpretation. Future policies and interventions should prioritise reducing gallstone disease, particularly in females, while addressing the variability in data sources.
CRD42024503530.
胆结石疾病是一个普遍存在的全球健康问题，但其在非洲的影响仍不明确。本研究旨在总结和综合非洲不同人群中胆结石疾病患病率的现有数据。
系统评价和荟萃分析，按照系统评价和荟萃分析的首选报告项目（PRISMA）指南报告。
检索了2000年至2023年12月31日期间的PubMed、谷歌学术、Hinari和非洲期刊在线数据库。
该评价纳入了所有报告胆结石疾病患病率且以英文发表的观察性研究。
两名独立的评价者提取数据，并使用乔安娜·布里格斯研究所（JBI）工具评估偏倚风险。使用随机效应和逆方差方法合并数据，并计算95%置信区间（95%CI）。使用Cochran Q统计量评估异质性，并用I²统计量进行量化。
从电子数据库中总共识别出260项研究，其中10项符合纳入标准。胆结石疾病的综合患病率为17%（95%CI为9%至24%），但存在高度统计学异质性（I²=99.9%）。10项纳入研究中只有8项提供了按性别划分的患病率数据，女性患病率（15.3%）明显高于男性（3.7%）。
该研究显示非洲胆结石疾病的合并患病率为17%，女性患病率更高。然而，显著的异质性、大多数国家缺乏数据以及其他国家数据的不平衡、研究人群的多样性以及研究数量有限，都需要谨慎解读。未来的政策和干预措施应优先减少胆结石疾病，特别是在女性中，同时解决数据来源的变异性问题。
PROSPERO注册号：CRD42024503530。
