TB manifests as infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND TB in the form of genital TB (GTB) is known to cause infertility but does not have typical respiratory symptoms, so patients are not aware of it. Meta-analysis studies showing the magnitude of such cases are not prevalent. OBJECTIVE To analyse prevalence of cases and outcomes through meta-analysis. METHODS Various databases were searched using keywords based on the Patient, Exposure, Comparison, Outcome, and Studies (PECOS) framework. Analysis used Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal for risk of bias, followed by meta-analysis. Data were collated using forest plots and comparative tables. RESULTS 11 articles were accepted out of 1,546 articles, with this study involving 2,197 infertility patients. GTB found in approximately 26% of cases among women (10% endometrial and 25% fallopian tube). Male cases cannot be analysed due to lack of detailed study. Most patients do not have any clinical manifestation except infertility. Approximately 12% of patients with Infertility due to GTB could be pregnant. CONCLUSION Infertility was observed in 15% of women with GTB in this study, and 67% of cases were primary infertility. .