The prevalence of renal involvement in primary Sjogren′s syndrome: a meta-analysis / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:Renal involvement in primary Sjogren′s syndrome (pSS) has been considered rare, and recent studies have shown that there was a large difference in the prevalence of the disease, which has been reported to range from 0.03% to 67%. The meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of renal involvement in pSS patients.Methods:The study on pSS renal involvement was conducted in Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library from January 2002 to May 2019. After logarithmic conversion of the prevalence rate, meta-analysis of random effect model was carried out to explore the prevalence of pSS renal involvement. Subgroup analysis and meta regression analysis were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. We also performed sensitivity analysis and assessments of publication bias by Begger′s test.Results:The meta-analysis included eighteen observational studies of 8 888 participants. The result in random effects model showed that the combined prevalence was 9.0% (95% CI 6.0%-12.0%), with significant heterogeneity between these studies ( I2=97%, P<0.01). The source of heterogeneity was explained by a stratified analysis of region, type of study, and the diagnostic criteria for renal involvement. Sensitivity analysis showed that the result was robust and Begger′s test did not detect the presence of publication bias. Conclusions:The prevalence of renal involvement in pSS is 9.0%. Due to huge heterogeneity, large multicenter prospective studies will be needed to determine its prevalence and the relationship between pSS and kidney.