Circulating leptin level in osteoarthritis and associations between leptin receptor polymorphisms and disease susceptibility: A meta‐analysis

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to systemically review the evidence on the relationship between the circulating leptin levels and osteoarthritis (OA), and the association between leptin and leptin receptor (LEPR) polymorphisms and OA susceptibility. Methods To find relevant papers (up to February 2023) examining the association between circulating leptin levels, LEPR polymorphisms, and OA, the PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched. We performed a meta‐analysis to examine the levels of synovial and serum/plasma leptin in OA patients compared with healthy controls, as well as the relationship between OA and LEPR polymorphisms. Results Data from 15 investigations, totaling 2197 patients with OA and 2546 controls, were included in the meta‐analysis. There were statistically significant differences in the levels of circulating leptin between the OA and control groups (standardized mean difference [SMD] 2.178, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.208‐3.139, P = 0.001). Leptin levels were also substantially greater in European, Asian, and Arab groups among OA patients. After adjusting for age, sex, and/or body mass index, the leptin levels of patients with OA were significantly higher. Similarly, regardless of sample size (n < 100 and n ≥ 100) or year of publication, leptin levels were considerably higher in the OA group. In addition, the synovial leptin level was greater in the OA group than in the control group (SMD 0.783; 95% CI 0.247‐1.319, P = 0.004). In the LEPR rs1137101 polymorphism, the OA and AA genotypes were significantly associated (odds ratio 0.282, 95% CI 0.126‐0.629, P = 0.002), according to the meta‐analysis. Ethnic stratification revealed an association between OA and the LEPR rs1137101 AA genotype in Asian and Arab populations. Conclusion The results of this meta‐analysis indicate that patients with OA had considerably greater levels of circulating leptin than did control individuals. In addition, synovial leptin levels were greater in OA patients than in healthy individuals, and the LEPR rs1137101 polymorphism was linked to an increased risk of developing OA. These results imply that leptin participates in the onset and progression of OA.