Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Statin therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis of disease activity and inflammatory biomarkers
Authors' conclusion
Statin therapy may reduce disease activity and inflammation in SLE, with a consistent benefit observed in patients with a mean age <40 years.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)12 studies
- Comparison
- Statin therapy vs control
- Outcome
- SLEDAI
Methodological detailsPRISMA 2020
- PRISMA 2020
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Statins vs ControlWMD (95% CI)P value
Controlled before-after studies
−0.70(−1.16 to −0.23)
P = 0.0037Parallel controlled trials; I² = 81.1%
−0.58(−1.74 to 0.59)
P = 0.330Further pooled results
| Outcome | SMD (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRPStatinsvs ControlControlled before-after studies | −0.38 (−0.73 to −0.03) | P = 0.032 | |
| CRPStatinsvs ControlParallel controlled trials | −1.45 (−2.84 to −0.07) | P = 0.040 | |
| −4−202Difference (linear scale) |
SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), subgroup with mean age <40 years
- Pronounced SLEDAI reduction, weighted mean difference (WMD)
- −1.60 (95% CI −1.98 to −1.22; p<0.001)
- Subgroup analysis
IL-6
- IL-6 reduction after excluding an outlier, SMD
- −0.32 (95% CI −0.63 to −0.00; p=0.048)
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- ESR reduction, SMD
- −1.81 (95% CI −3.54 to −0.08; p=0.0406)
Original publication
Statin therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis of disease activity and inflammatory biomarkers. Lupus Sci Med. Published 9 February 2026. doi:10.
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