Evidence mapPaperPMID 41663155Full record

SynthesisLupus science & medicine2026

Statin therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis of disease activity and inflammatory biomarkers.

Suhai Qian, Jingyi Wu, Chao Hu, Yuanyuan Luo, Runyu Chang, Ting Liu, Xinghong Ding

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Lupus science & medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Suhai Qian *School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
Jingyi Wu *School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
Chao Hu *School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
Yuanyuan LuoSchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
Runyu ChangSchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
Ting LiuSchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
Xinghong DingSchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China dxh@zcmu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7090-9445

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveDyslipidaemia in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) contributes to pathogenesis and cardiovascular risk. The effect of statin therapy on SLE disease activity remains controversial. This meta-analysis systematically evaluates the impact of statins on SLE activity and inflammatory markers.

methodsThis study adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. A systematic literature search across multiple databases was conducted up to 13 November 2024. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Meta-analysis was conducted using R software, evaluating outcomes including SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

resultsFrom 3596 identified records, 12 studies were included. Statins significantly reduced SLEDAI in controlled before-after studies (weighted mean difference (WMD)=-0.70, 95% CI -1.16 to -0.23; p=0.0037), but not in parallel controlled trials (WMD=-0.58, 95% CI -1.74 to 0.59; p=0.330; I² = 81.1%). Subgroup analysis showed a pronounced reduction in patients with a mean age <40 years (WMD=-1.60, 95% CI -1.98 to -1.22; p<0.001). Statins lowered CRP in both controlled before-after studies (standardised mean difference (SMD)=-0.38, 95% CI -0.73 to -0.03; p=0.032) and parallel controlled trials (SMD=-1.45, 95% CI -2.84 to -0.07; p=0.040). After excluding an outlier, the reduction in IL-6 became significant (SMD=-0.32, 95% CI -0.63 to -0.00; p=0.048). ESR was also reduced (SMD=-1.81, 95% CI -3.54 to -0.08; p=0.0406). No significant publication bias was detected.

conclusionStatin therapy may reduce disease activity and inflammation in SLE, with a consistent benefit observed in patients with a mean age <40 years. Significant heterogeneity underscores the need for future rigorously designed, age-stratified randomised trials to confirm these findings and define the target patient population. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42025630267.

Indexed as

DyslipidemiasHydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase InhibitorsLupus Erythematosus, SystemicBiomarkersBlood SedimentationC-Reactive ProteinHumansInflammationInterleukin-6Severity of Illness IndexBiomarkersC-Reactive ProteinHydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase InhibitorsInterleukin-6Autoimmune DiseasesDisease ActivityInflammationLupus Erythematosus, SystemicSystemic Lupus Erythematosus

Identifiers

PMID41663155
PMCPMC12887471

What Socratic holds

Texttitle and abstract
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.