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.

© 2025. The Author(s).