The prevalence of depression and anxiety in cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

This project aims to determine how common depression and anxiety are among adults with cirrhosis and to identify factors associated with these mental health conditions. The review addresses an important gap in the literature, as no up-to-date systematic review has comprehensively examined the prevalence of both anxiety and depression in this patient population. The study will systematically search major medical databases, screen eligible studies, assess study quality, and combine findings using meta-analysis techniques. Researchers will calculate pooled prevalence estimates for depression and anxiety and explore whether prevalence varies according to factors such as cirrhosis severity, disease cause, healthcare setting, and assessment method. The overall goal is to improve understanding of the mental health burden experienced by people with cirrhosis, helping clinicians recognise the need for appropriate screening, support, and treatment while informing future research and healthcare policy.