Aim: We performed this meta-analysis in order to evaluate circulating interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients more accurately and explore its related influencing factors.
Methods: The related literature was systematically searched in PubMed, Embase and The Cochrane Library database (up to 28 March 2018). All data analysis was performed by Stata 12.0 software.
Results: The results showed SLE patients had a higher circulating IL-8 levels than normal controls (pooled standardized mean difference = 0.963; 95% CI: 0.416-1.511). Subgroup analyses indicated SLE patients with age <40 years, Asia group and disease duration <10 years had higher IL-8 levels.
Conclusion: Compared with normal controls, circulating IL-8 levels in SLE patients are elevated and affected by age, region and disease duration.
Keywords: autoimmune disease; biomarker; interleukin-8; meta-analysis; systemic lupus erythematosus.