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

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.