A systematic review of the Effect of Diclofenac Exposure during Pregnancy on mother and fetus
Objective: To perform a systematic review on the effect of Diclofenac exposure during Pregnancy on mother and fetus.
Introduction: Diclofenac is a Non-steroid Anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) derived from non-steroidal phenylacetic acid. Diclofenac is a benzene acetic acid derivative used to treat the pain and swelling associated with rheumatic disorders since 1974. It is one of the most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in the world. A few reports have demonstrated that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exerted embryo toxicity and teratogenicity among experimental animals but there is no clear evidence of the effect in (Preprint)
BACKGROUND Diclofenac is a Non-steroid Anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) derived from non-steroidal phenylacetic acid. Diclofenac is a benzene acetic acid derivative used to treat the pain and swelling associated with rheumatic disorders since 1974. It is one of the most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in the world. A few reports have demonstrated that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exerted embryo toxicity and teratogenicity among experimental animals but there is no clear evidence of the effect in humans. OBJECTIVE To perform a systematic review on the effect of Diclofenac exposure during Pregnancy on mother and fetus. METHODS This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for systematic review of effectiveness evidence. A three-step search strategy used in this review. Databases searched included Pub Med, Medline Scopus, Embase, cinihal, Google, different Universities repositories and Google scholar. Titles and abstracts were then screened by two independent reviewers for assessment against the inclusion criteria for the review. Eligible studies were critically appraised by two independent reviewers at the study level. Appraisal was occurred at the outcome level for methodological quality in the review using standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for observational studies. The data extracted from the studies include specific details about the populations, study methods, interventions, and outcomes of significance to the review objective indicate the specific details. Statistical pooling was not possible due to outcome and nature of data. So, that the findings were presented in narrative form. RESULTS Three relevant articles (two cohort and a nested case control studies) were identified with a total of 1,490,679 participants. Diclofenac exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight on fetus, increased risk of spontaneous abortion and increased risk of maternal vaginal bleeding. CONCLUSIONS Exposures to Diclofenac during pregnancy have adverse embryonic and maternal effect. So pregnant women taking Diclofenac may affect mother and fetus and additional primary RCTs are needed.