Association between serum/plasma adiponectin levels and immune-mediated diseases: a meta-analysis

Adiponectin plays an important role in the development of immune-mediated diseases. Currently published data regarding the relationship between serum/plasma levels of adiponectin and immune-mediated diseases are inconsistent. We therefore conducted this meta-analysis to explore the association of serum/plasma adiponectin levels with immune-mediated diseases in humans. Systematic literature search was conducted to identify all relevant studies. The study quality was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Pooled standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by random-effect model analysis. A total of 47 studies were included in our meta-analysis, including 27 studies of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), 9 studies of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 7 studies of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 4 studies of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The results revealed significant differences in serum/plasma levels of adiponectin between immune-mediated diseases and normal controls (SMD = 1.262, 95% CI 0.766–1.758, p 40 years, and BMI ≥24 kg/m2 had higher serum/plasma adiponectin levels when compared with normal controls. Collectively, this meta-analysis demonstrates that serum/plasma levels of adiponectin in T1DM, RA and SLE patients were higher than those in normal controls, but not in AS patients.