Correlation between circulating interleukin-18 level and systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis - PubMed (original) (raw)

Meta-Analysis

Correlation between circulating interleukin-18 level and systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis

Mengmeng Xiang et al. Sci Rep. 2021.

Abstract

This study is a meta-analysis aimed at pooling reported data and clarifying the association between circulating level of interleukin-18 and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We searched medical databases including Medline/Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science thoroughly to obtain all related articles published before July 15th, 2020. We pooled computed standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval using STATA 13.0 and exhibited in the form of forest graph. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were also performed to explore the source of heterogeneity. Publication bias was first evaluated by the symmetry of the funnel plot and then Egger's linear regression test. Thirty eligible studies from eighteen regions were finally included and the relevant data from these studies were pooled. The analysis results displayed that SLE patients showed a significantly higher level of circulating IL-18 level in comparison with healthy controls (SMD = 1.56, 95% CI [1.20-1.93]; I2 = 94.9%, p < 0.01). The conclusion was equally applicable in subgroups divided based on sample type, mean age, disease duration, and testing method. Patients with SLEDAI score higher than five, or who were Asian, White, Arab, or mixed ethnicity had an elevated level of IL-18, while the others didn't. This meta-analysis has elucidated that compared with healthy people, the circulating level of IL-18 is considerably higher in SLE patients, which indicates the underlying role of IL-18 in SLE pathogenesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1

Flow chart of the inclusion and exclusion process.

Figure 2

Figure 2

Forrest plot of the standard mean variance (SMD) for the levels of circulating IL-18 in systematic lupus erythematosus patients and healthy controls using a random-effect model. (StataCorp. 2013. Stata Statistical Software: Release 13. College Station, TX: StataCorp LP.

www.stata.com

).

Figure 3

Figure 3

Sensitivity analysis of the pooled standard mean variance (SMD). (StataCorp. 2013. Stata Statistical Software: Release 13. College Station, TX: StataCorp LP.

www.stata.com

).

Figure 4

Figure 4

Funnel plot to assess potential publication bias. (StataCorp. 2013. Stata Statistical Software: Release 13. College Station, TX: StataCorp LP.

www.stata.com

).

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