title: Association between plasma interleukin-17 levels and risk of psoriasis: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Emerging evidence indicates that plasma interleukin (IL)-17 levels may be associated with increased risk of psoriasis, but the individual published results are inconclusive.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate IL-17 levels in patients with psoriasis using a meta-analysis of studies comparing IL-17 levels in controls and in patients with psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  All relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science and MEDLINE databases before 1 November 2015. Pooled risk estimates were calculated by random-effects models. Crude OR and standardized mean difference (SMD) with corresponding 95% CI were also calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, eight cross-sectional study studies were included in the final analysis. The mean plasma levels of IL-17 were higher in patients with psoriasis than in healthy controls (SMD = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.07-0.86, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on this literature review, there appears to be a positive association between IL-17 plasma levels and psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
authors.forename: X Y
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood*; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020381:Interleukin-17