Circulating interleukins concentrations and post-stroke depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Interleukins may play a role in supporting the diagnosis of post-stroke depression (PSD). Here, eight databases were employed to search for studies on circulating interleukins concentrations in patients with PSD. A total of 45 studies exploring circulating interleukins in PSD and stroke patients without depression (NPSD) were included in the retrieval database, including IL-1(5), IL-1β (10), IL-2(6), IL-6(35), IL-10(7), IL-17(5), IL-18(6). Then, the RevMan 5.4 software was used for meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the PSD patients have higher concentrations of IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, and lower concentrations of IL-10 than NPSD patients. Additionally, the circulating IL-1, IL-6, and IL-18 concentrations in PSD patients were significantly higher than those in NPSD patients in the acute phase; the circulating IL-6 and IL-17 concentrations in PSD patients were significantly higher than those in NPSD patients at discharge; the PSD patients have lower concentrations sin IL-2 but higher concentrations in IL-6 and IL-17 than NPSD patients at the 3rd and 6th month. Our research provides evidence that circulating interleukins may have clinical utility as a biomarker for identifying PSD.