Risk factors for non-puerperal mastitis: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Non-puerperal mastitis (NPM) is a complex inflammatory breast disease with no specific etiology. It is characterized by recurrent episodes and a chronic course. Identifying its risk factors can aid in implementing preventive measures to reduce the incidence of NPM. This meta-analysis aims to determine the risk factors for NPM. METHODS: Relevant studies concerning NPM were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases. Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 and Stata SE 15.0. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies with 5402 participants were included, involving 19 risk factors. The following risk factors for NPM were identified: crater nipple, lactation mastitis, breast trauma, breastfeeding time < 6 months, hyperprolactinemia, cardiopathy, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, contraception, smoking, emotional problems, and psychotropic drug use. There was no clear association of NPM with galactostasis, allergic history, alcohol consumption, miscarriage, and divorce or being single. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified crater nipple, lactation mastitis, breast trauma, breastfeeding duration < 6 months, hyperprolactinemia, cardiopathy, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, contraception, smoking, emotional problems, and psychotropic drug use as risk factors for NPM. For individuals with multiple risk factors, regular breast follow-up is recommended. When breast symptoms occur, early diagnosis and treatment should be implemented based on the associated risk factors to avoid delay in managing the condition.