Risk Factors for Depression in Tuberculosis Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Ruiting Shen,1 Keyu Zong,2 Jie Liu,1 Liancheng Zhang1 1Tianjin University of Sports, Tianjin, 301617, People’s Republic of China; 2Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Liancheng Zhang, Tianjin University of Sports, No. 16 Donghai Road, West Tuanbo New Town, Jinghai District, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 15620625191, Email zlc-hhht@163.comPurpose: Tuberculosis (TB) is a life threatening global infection. However, not only does TB have a high global prevalence, but it is also associated with several comorbidities. Depression is one of the most common and lethal comorbidities of TB patients. Therefore, in order to prevent depression in TB patients more effectively, it is necessary to investigate the factors associated with depression in TB patients by studying the pooled effect of each factor statistically. By concluding the associated factors through statistical analysis, it not only offers accurate guidance for further studies about programs targeted at preventing depression in TB patients, but provides health-care workers useful suggestions and warnings when treating TB patients.Methods: We searched the published literatures from PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library to collect studies. The meta-analysis included articles from observational studies, including cross-sectional studies, cohort studies and case control studies that had information about factors associated with depression in tuberculosis patients. When the heterogeneity is defined as significant (I2> 50%), a random-effect model with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to estimate risk factors; otherwise, a fixed-effect model was used to combine the effect. A sensitivity test was conducted to examine which one of the studies may have potential bias that can affect the validity and reliability of the result. The funnel plots and Begg’s and Egger’s statistical tests were performed to assess the publication bi