A meta-analysis and systematic review on adipokines as potential biomarker for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Background

To explore the relationship between PDR and serum adipokine levels, a thorough literature review was conducted. A total of 27 selected studies, meeting predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria, were analyzed. The background sets the stage for understanding the significance of investigating adipokines in PDR patients vs healthy control groups.

Objective

This study aims to establish an association between diabetic retinopathy and serum adipokine levels in individuals diagnosed with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The investigation delves into the clinical implications of circulating adipokines as potential diagnostic biomarkers for PDR.

Methods

A comprehensive search on PubMed and Google Scholar identified relevant studies measuring serum adipokine levels in PDR patients and healthy subjects. Mean values with standard errors and total subject numbers in both groups were extracted from selected articles. The statistical approach employed was the inverse variance, utilizing the standard mean difference with a 95% confidence interval. Meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effect model in RevMan 5.0 software.

Results

The meta-analysis showcased significant findings, indicating a notable decrease in omentin-1 levels and a marked increase in apelin, chemerin, leptin, and fetuin-A levels among PDR patients compared to the healthy control group. Results under this heading provide a comprehensive overview of the specific adipokine alterations observed in individuals with PDR.

Conclusion

The study’s outcomes present compelling evidence supporting the proposition that circulating adipokines could serve as novel diagnostic biomarkers for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The conclusion summarizes the key findings and emphasizes the potential clinical relevance of using adipokines in diagnosing and understanding PDR.

Graphical Abstract