Bladder exstrophy and epispadias complex is a rare congenital anomaly with significant medical and psychosocial implications. We employed a dual approach to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of psychiatric morbidity in bladder exstrophy and epispadias patients, by combining a systematic review with a retrospective national registry study.

To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of psychiatric morbidity in bladder exstrophy and epispadias complex.

We conducted a systematic literature review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, including studies on psychiatric disorders or symptoms and quality of life in bladder exstrophy and epispadias patients of all ages. Article quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Prevalence data for psychiatric conditions and scores from psychiatric and quality-of-life questionnaires were extracted.

Additionally, all bladder exstrophy and epispadias patients born in Finland 2001–2006 were identified from national registries. A matched and randomized control group without congenital malformations was selected from the same population. We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for psychiatric diagnoses in this cohort.

Of the 3850 retrieved results, 30 studies with 1179 participants were included. The overall prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was 31 %, [95 % CI 17 %–47 %]. Psychiatric morbidity was highest in adolescents, while morbidity in adults was comparable to the general population.

In the Finnish cohort, 80 % (n = 16/20) of bladder exstrophy and epispadias patients had a psychiatric diagnosis compared to 26 % (n = 21/80) of the controls (OR 11.2, [95 % CI 3.37–37.4], p < 0.001). The severity of the anomaly, number of surgeries, maternal unemployment, or maternal psychiatric diagnosis were not significantly associated with increased psychiatric morbidity.

Bladder exstrophy and epispadias is associated with an elevated risk of psychiatric morbidity. Our dual approach highlights the need for systematic mental health assessment and support in this population.