Serum Levels of Interleukins in Endometriosis Patients: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to produce a comprehensive survey of the serum levels of interleukins in untreated people with endometriosis compared to people without endometriosis.

Data sources: A systematic literature search of English language studies within Cinahl, Medline Complete, PubMed, and Scopus from inception to May 2023 was performed.

Methods of study selection: We included studies that compared interleukin serum levels in people with endometriosis to those without endometriosis. Meta-analysis was performed on IL-1RA, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-18, IL-23, and IL-37.

Tabulation, integration, and results: The systematic search retrieved 651 studies, of which 77 underwent a full text review. A total of 30 studies met inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. IL-1Ra, IL-6, and IL-37 serum levels were 2.56 (95% CI 2.20-2.92, p < 0.001), 1.38 (95% CI: 0.58-2.17, p < 0.001), and 1.77 (95% CI: 1.33-2.20, p < 0.001) standard deviations higher in the patients with endometriosis compared to patients without endometriosis while IL-23 serum levels 0.40 (95% CI: -0.73 to -0.07, p = 0.02) standard deviations lower, respectively.

Conclusion: There is mounting evidence that interleukins, especially IL-6, may be good candidates for unique non-invasive diagnostic tools and/or treatment pathways for endometriosis.

DOI

10.1016/j.jmig.2024.02.011

Publication Date

2-28-2024

Keywords

Cytokines, Interleukin-6

ISSN

1553-4669

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