Meta-analysis of the association between vitiligo and the level of superoxide dismutase or malondialdehyde.

BACKGROUND: There are conflicting reports on the correlation between vitiligo and the levels of either superoxide dismutase (SOD) or malondialdehyde (MDA).

AIM: To clarify the association between vitiligo and SOD or MDA.

METHODS: Relevant published articles were searched according to our eligibility criteria. A meta-analysis was conducted to pool estimates of the standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% CI.

RESULTS: Patients with either the active or stable vitiligo had higher levels of both SOD (stable: SMD = 1.61, 95% CI 0.66-2.56, P = 0.001; active: SMD = 2.56, 95% CI 1.13-3.99, P < 0.001) and MDA (stable: SMD = 2.70, 95% CI 1.81-3.59, P < 0.001; active: SMD = 3.50, 95% CI 2.29-4.71, P < 0.001), compared with healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed a significant association between vitiligo and high levels of both SOD and MDA.