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Previous studies concerning the circulating interleukin-17 (IL-17) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were contradictory. To further precisely investigate circulating IL-17 in SLE and evaluate its influential factors by meta-analysis. EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched to obtain studies on circulating IL-17 in SLE patients by November 22, 2018. The results were illustrated by pooled standard mean difference (SMD) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) using random-effects model as there was significant heterogeneity, which was estimated using Cochran Q and I2 statistics. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Overall, 1872 articles were reviewed and 20 studies involving 1067 subjects with SLE and 721 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in the final analysis according to inclusion criteria. Compared with HCs, circulating IL-17 levels in SLE patients were elevated (SMD: 1.183, 95% CI: 0.763–1.603; P <.001). Moreover, in comparison to HCs, European and Asian SLE patients, age <30 years, disease duration ≥5 years, NOS scores <7 and using ELISA showed increased circulating IL-17 status, whereas no significant change was observed in other subgroups. There was no significant publication bias. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the results of our meta-analysis were robust. SLE patients have higher circulating IL-17 levels, which is influenced by ethnic, age and disease duration, literature quality and measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The indicators for measuring vitamin D are various, and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is considered as the optimal indicator of total vitamin D levels. In this study, we aim to deeply explore the 25(OH)D status in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and evaluate its relation to SLE risk and disease severity. Methods: Literature about 25(OH)D status and its associations with SLE were searched in Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases. Standardized mean difference (SMD), odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were illustrated by forest plots, and correlation coefficients (r) were combined by generic inverse variance method. Heterogeneity and publication bias were quantified by I‐squared (I2) test, funnel plot and Egger's test, respectively. Sensitivity analyses were further examined by leave‐one‐out method. Results: Nineteen articles were included into our meta‐analysis. The overall results showed that compared with the healthy controls, the circulating 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in SLE patients (pooled SMD = −1.63, 95% CI: −2.51 to −0.76). Subgroup analysis revealed that compared with the healthy controls, SLE patients of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) ≥ 10, Arab and European ethnicity, all 4 seasons, no vitamin D supplement, had significantly lower circulating 25(OH)D levels; no significant differences were observed in SLE patients of SLEDAI < 10, mixed ethnicity, spring, summer, vitamin D supplement, respectively; no matter the changes of age, disease duration, and the therapy of corticosteroid or immunosuppressive or neither, circulating 25(OH)D levels were significantly reduced in SLE patients. The deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency of vitamin D could significantly elevate, slightly decrease (not significantly), significantly decrease SLE risk, respectively (pooled OR = 4.37, 95% CI: 1.49 to 12.84; pooled OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.22 to 1.26; pooled OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.63). Circulating 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with SLEDAI (pooled correlation coefficient = −0.50, 95% CI: −0.8278 to −0.1689). Conclusions: Compared with healthy controls, 25(OH)D levels are significantly lower in SLE patients, which is influenced by disease activity, ethnicity, seasons and vitamin D supplement; no matter the change of age, diseases duration and therapy of corticosteroid or immunosuppressive or neither, 25(OH)D levels are significantly decreased in SLE patients; the deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency of vitamin D could significantly elevate, slightly decrease, and significantly decrease SLE risk, respectively; and 25(OH)D levels inversely correlate with SLEDAI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prolactin (PRL), an inflammatory hormone with cytokine properties, has long been proposed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the circulating levels of PRL in RA were discordant among published studies.Methods: PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library database were systematically searched from inception up to 30 June 2018. The available studies were obtained from the initial search in accordance with the rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relevant data from the included literatures were extracted. Methodological quality was evaluated in order to refine the final search results. All statistical analyses were conducted using software STATA version 12.0.Results: Of 698 articles were yielded for eligibility, a finally analysis involving 628 RA cases and 430 controls from 14 published studies were included. When compared to healthy controls, there was a significantly higher level of circulating PRL in patients with RA with a pooled SMD of 1.08 (95% CI = 0.41 to 1.74, P< 0.001), particularly in Asians, age ≥50, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) group and subjects with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ≥25 mm/h.Conclusions: Our meta-analysis demonstrates a significantly higher level of circulating PRL in RA patients when compared to healthy controls, and it was associated with region, age, measurement type and ESR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Currently published data regarding the potential role of osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN) for the discrimination between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are contradictory. To derive a more precise evaluation, a meta-analysis was performed. Methods: Published literatures comparing plasma/serum OPG, OCN and OPN levels between RA group and OA controls were searched in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the study quality. Pooled standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by random-effect model analysis. Heterogeneity test was performed by the Q statistic and quantified using I2. Results: Nine studies including 438 RA patients and 255 OA patients were finally incorporated in the meta-analysis after examining title, type, abstracts and full text. The results showed that RA patients had higher plasma/serum OPN (pooled SMD = −2.57, 95% CI = −4.72 to −0.41) levels when compared to OA patients. No significant difference in plasma/serum OPG (pooled SMD = −0.29, 95% CI = −1.07‒0.49) and OCN (pooled SMD = −0.09, 95% CI = −0.48‒0.31) levels were found between RA patients and OA patients. Subgroup analysis indicated that plasma/serum OPG levels had no significant differences between RA patients and OA patients in Europe and Asian. Conclusions: Overall, there is no significant difference in circulating OPG and OCN levels between RA patients and OA patients. However, plasma/serum OPN level is significantly higher in RA patients compared with OA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, many studies have focused on the possibility of using mean platelet volume (MPV) as a biomarker for disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To derive a more accurate estimation, a meta-analysis was conducted. Embase, PubMed, The Cochrane Library database and several Chinese databases (up to Nov 1 2017) were used to acquire published literatures on association of MPV levels with disease activity in SLE patients. Fixed-effects or random-effect model analysis was performed to calculate pooled standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity test was tested by the Q statistic and quantified using I2. A funnel plot and Egger’s linear regression test were used to evaluate the potential publication bias. A total of 618 articles were identified, nine studies with 376 active SLE patients and 270 inactive SLE patients were finally included. No significant difference in MPV level was found between active SLE patients and inactive SLE patients (SMD = − 0.05, 95% CI: − 0.83, 0.73). Subgroup analyses stratified by age or region also demonstrated consistent results. No significant publication bias was observed (P > 0.05). The sensitivity analysis showed no significant change when any one study was excluded. In summary, our meta-analysis does not support the use of MPV as an indicator for monitoring disease activity in SLE patients. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample size are warranted to unveil the possibility of using MPV as a biomarker of disease activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. This study aims to derive a more precise estimation on pulse wave velocity (PWV) level in patients with SLE and related factors. A literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library databases, studies published up to February 28, 2017, in English. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by fixed-effect or random-effect model analysis. Heterogeneity test was performed by the Q statistic and quantified using I2 ; publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and Egger’s linear regression test. Of 156 studies found, 27 met eligibility criteria, and 14 studies were finally included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that the SLE group had significantly higher PWV levels than the control group; SMD = 0.56 and 95% CI (0.30-0.82). Subgroup analyses showed that body mass index (BMI), sample size, and disease duration were associated with PWV in patients with SLE. Overall, our study suggests that patients with SLE have a higher PWV level, and it is associated with BMI, sample size, and disease duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]