This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between circulating adiponectin and visfatin levels and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to establish a correlation between serum adipokine levels and RA activity.
We conducted meta-analyses on serum/plasma adiponectin or visfatin levels in patients with RA and controls and correlation coefficients between circulating adiponectin and visfatin levels and Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS28) in RA patients.
Eleven studies comprising 813 RA patients and 684 controls were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that adiponectin levels were significantly higher in the RA group than in the control group (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.529, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.354-2.704, P = 0.011). Circulating adiponectin level was not associated with RA activity based on DAS28 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Visfatin levels were significantly higher in the RA group than in the control group (SMD = 2.575, 95% CI: = 0.963-4.189, P = 0.002). A trend of positive correlation among circulating visfatin levels and DAS28 and CRP levels was found (correlation coefficient = 0.416, 95% CI: = -0.917 to 0.795, P = 0.177; correlation coefficient = 0.366, 95% CI: = -0.074 to 0.687, P = 0.101, respectively).
Our meta-analysis demonstrated that circulating adiponectin levels were significantly higher in patients with RA than in controls. Circulating visfatin levels were significantly higher in patients with RA than in controls and a positive correlation between circulating visfatin level and RA activity is suggested.