Abstract:
Objectives: Previous studies found that the interleukin (IL)-17 level was elevated in inflammatory arthritis, but
results were inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association of IL-17 cytokine with osteoarthritis
(OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Methods: Relevant studies were searched using databases. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated.
Correlation coefficient was utilized to evaluate the relationship between IL-17 and disease activity of AS and RA.
Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were applied to explore the sources of heterogeneity.
Results: 83 records were enrolled. The IL-17 level was elevated in AS (SMD=2.348, P < .001), RA
(SMD=1.502, P < .001), PsA (SMD=1.710, P < .001) and OA (SMD=1.192, P=.016), and similar results
occurred in subgroup analysis. Furthermore, the IL-17 level was positively associated with disease activity of AS
and RA.
Conclusion: Circulating IL-17 level is significantly elevated in inflammatory arthritis and is related to the disease
activity of AS and RA, suggesting that it plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory
arthritis (especially in AS and RA).