The potential value of low-level serum interleukin-38 for the clinical diagnosis and risk prediction of hyperuricemia

Abstract

BackgroundInterleukin (IL)-38, a novel anti-inflammatory cytokine in the IL-1 family, has an important role in various autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. However, the level of serum IL-38 in hyperuricemia (HUA) and its clinical applications are still unknown. MethodsForty-four HUA patients and 43 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The levels of serum IL-38 in the participants were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors associated with HUA. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator combined with 10-fold cross-validation was used to screen the characteristic variables for modeling and the logistic regression model was visualized by nomogram. The discrimination, degree of concordance, and clinical applicability of the models were evaluated by receiver operator characteristic curve, calibration plot, and decision curve analysis, respectively. ResultsCompared with that in healthy controls, the level of serum IL-38 was reduced in HUA patients (275.09 ± 294.89 vs 505.99 ± 312.94, P < 0.01). The area under the curve of serum IL-38 was 0.768 (cutoff value: 246.91 pg/ml). IL-38, platelet count, mean platelet volume, and total protein were identified as independent risk factors for HUA. The risk model showed an excellent clinical differentiation value (area under the curve: 0.961) and degree of fit. Decision curve analysis indicated that the prediction model could be beneficial for patients when the threshold probability was 1%–95%. ConclusionsLow level of serum IL-38 shows some potential in the clinical diagnosis and risk prediction of HUA. In addition, as a novel biomarker of HUA, serum IL-38 would contribute to the in-depth study of its pathogenesis in the future.