LAUSR

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.