The potential biochemical markers of Kashin–Beck disease: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the cytokines in serum, synovial fluid as potential biomarkers of Kashin–Beck disease (KBD) and to further understand the role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of KBD.Methods: A systematic electronic database search was performed from inception up to 15 March 2015. Meta-analysis was performed for cytokines more than one repetition in studies with available data. The effect size was summarized as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by a random effect model.Results: A total of 18 articles were included. The pooled standardized mean differences showed the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (2.72, 95% CI: 1.8 5–3.59), interleukin-1 beta (1.21, 95% CI: 0.6 1–1.80), and nitric oxide (2.60, 95% CI: 1.5 2–3.68) were significantly higher in adult KBD patients compared with that in healthy controls.Conclusions: There was explicit evidence showing that the tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta and nitric oxide were closely related to the presence of KBD, and these cytokines played a vital role in the pathogenesis of KBD.