Serum levels of Galectin-1 and Galectin-3 for monitoring rheumatoid arthritis severity: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Galectin-1 (Gal-1) and galectin-3 (Gal-3) have emerged as promising biomarkers for diagnosing and managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aims to synthesize current evidence through a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of serum Gal-1 and Gal-3 as biomarkers for monitoring disease severity and predicting clinical outcomes in RA patients.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, including studies published up to March 2024. Eleven observational studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. The risk of bias in these studies was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data synthesis and meta-analysis were performed using RevMan 5.3 software, with the study protocol registered at INPLASY (ID: 202460103).

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 1213 participants (comprising 809 RA patients and 404 healthy controls) from 11 studies. Serum levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 were significantly higher in RA patients compared to controls (MD=25.09 ng/ml, 95% CI: 24.18-26.00 ng/ml, P<0.00001; MD=30.51 ng/ml, 95% CI: 29.10-31.93 ng/ml, P<0.00001). Moreover, Gal-1 levels exhibited a positive correlation with RA disease activity markers, such as the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28). The analysis demonstrated a correlation coefficient of r=0.24 (95% CI: 0.14-0.33, P<0.00001) between Gal-1 and RA disease activity, highlighting a notable association. Similarly, Gal-3 showed significant positive correlations with ESR (r=0.29, 95% CI: 0.18-0.40, P<0.00001), DAS28 (r=0.25, 95% CI: 0.13-0.37, P<0.00001), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r=0.15, 95% CI: 0.05-0.26, P<0.00001). The overall correlation between circulating Gal-3 levels and RA disease severity indices was r=0.23 (95% CI: 0.16-0.29, P<0.00001).

CONCLUSION

Gal-1 demonstrates significant potential as a biomarker for diagnosing and managing RA. Monitoring Gal-1 and Gal-3 levels may provide valuable insights into early disease assessment and progression, potentially improving treatment outcomes for RA patients.