Background and Aims.Currently published data regarding the relationship between plasma/serum leptin levels and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)are contradictory.To derive a more precise evaluation of this relationship,a meta-analysis was performed.Methods.Published literature from PubMed,Embase and Cochrane Library were obtained.The study quality was assessed by the NewcastleeOttawa scale.Pooled standard mean difference(SMD)with 95%confidence interval(CI)was calculated by fixed-effects or random-effect model analysis.Heterogeneity among studies was estimated using the Cochran Q and I2 statistics.Results.A total of 11 studies including 868 SLE patients and 591 controls were finally included in the meta-analysis.No significant differences in plasma/serum leptin levels was found between SLE patients and healthy controls when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis(pooled SMD 5 0.269,95%CI 5 0.188 to 0.726).However,subgroup analyses showed that SLE patients from an Asian population,age $40 years and BMI !25 had higher plasma/serum leptin levels when compared with controls.Conclusion.There is no significant difference in plasma/serum leptin levels between the entire group of SLE patients and controls.However,plasma/serum leptin levels are significantly higher in the subgroup of SLE patients from an Asian population $40 years of age and with a BMI !25. 2015 IMSS.Published by Elsevier Inc.