Abstract:AIM: To determine the relationship between interleukin-8(IL-8)levels in aqueous ocular samples and diabetic retinopathy(DR)through systematic evaluation and Meta-analysis.
METHODS: The PubMed, Embase and Web of Science database were searched from January 2010 to June 2021. A random effects model was used to combine the results, and the sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the stability and reliability of the arithmetic results, and subgroup analysis was used to identify possible sources of heterogeneity.
RESULTS: A total of 25 case-control studies were included. IL-8 levels in patients with DR were significantly higher than those in patients without DR(SMD: 1.57, 95%CI: 1.19-1.95, P<0.01). Sensitivity analysis shows that the calculation results of random effects are stable and reliable. Subgroup analysis based on test method, region, sample source, and type of DR showed that the choice of these factors greatly influenced the relationship between IL-8 levels and patients with DR. Among them, the samples from Bead-based multivariate analysis(I 2=18%, P=0.27), Europe(I 2=38%, P=0.17)and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)(I 2=0%, P=0.49)showed good consistency. ELISA, American, Asian, vitreous fluid, proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)and other factors may increase the effect size.
CONCLUSION: Elevated IL-8 levels in aqueous eye solution are associated with the risk of DR, and IL-8 may serve as a potential predictor or therapeutic target for DR.
