IL-1β Implications in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Progression: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

During Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) progression, there is chronic and low-grade inflammation that could be related to the evolution of the disease. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether peripheral levels of pro-inflammatory markers such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is significantly different among patients with or without T1DM, in gender, management of the T1DM, detection in several biological fluids, study design, age range, and glycated hemoglobin. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, and 26 relevant studies (2186 with T1DM, 2047 controls) were included. We evaluated the studies' quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Meta-analyses were conducted, and heterogeneity and publication bias were examined. Compared with controls, IL-1 beta determined by immunoassays (pooled standardized mean difference (SMD): 2.45, 95% CI = 1.73 to 3.17; p < 0.001) was significantly elevated in T1DM. The compared IL-1 beta levels in patients < 18 years (SMD = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.88-3.74) was significantly elevated. The hemoglobin-glycated (Hbg) levels in patients < 18 years were compared (Hbg > 7: SMD = 5.43, 95% CI = 3.31-7.56; p = 0.001). Compared with the study design, IL-1 beta evaluated by ELISA (pooled SMD = 3.29, 95% CI = 2.27 to 4.30, p < 0.001) was significantly elevated in T1DM patients. IL-1 beta remained significantly higher in patients with a worse management of T1DM and in the early stage of T1DM. IL-1 beta levels determine the inflammatory environment during T1DM.

Automated summary

This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the chronic inflammation in the progression of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), and found that the peripheral levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) were significantly elevated in T1DM patients, especially in patients under 18 years old and those with high levels of glycated hemoglobin. The levels of IL-1 beta may be associated with the management status and early stage of T1DM.