Table 1.
Characteristics of 95 studies included in this meta-analysis.
| Author (Ref.) | Publish year | Country | Case numbers (AS/HC) | Lymphocyte subsets discussed | Age (year) AS/HC | Disease activity | Diagnosis criteria | NOS score | Database |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| An et al. (20) | 2019 | China | 73/85 | Th17/Treg ratio | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | Medline; PubMed |
| Appel et al. (21) | 2011 | Germany | 19/20 | Treg | 40.9 ± 13.8/nr | nr | mNY1984 | 4 | Medline; PubMed |
| Bautista et al. (22) | 2014 | Norway | 25/50 | Tfh | 56 ± 14.8/nr | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | Medline; PubMed |
| Bidad et al. (23) | 2013 | Iran | 18/18 | Th17; Treg | 34 ± 2/33 ± 1 | BASDAI≥4 | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Brand et al. (24) | 1997 | Germany | 21/29 | B; CD4+T; CD8+T | 42 ± 14/47 ± 16 | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | Medline; PubMed |
| Cai and Xiao (25) | 2013 | China | 40/20 | Treg | 29 ± 9.4/28.4 ± 10.3 | nr | mNY1984 | 7 | CNKI |
| Cai et al. (26) | 2005 | China | 30/20 | B; T; CD4+T; CD8+T | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 4 | CNKI |
| Cao et al. (27) | 2004 | Sweden | 10/29 | Treg | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 4 | PubMed |
| Chen et al. (28) | 2013 | China | 61/36 | Th1; Th17; Treg | 25 ± 8.2/25 ± 7 | nr | mNY1984 | 7 | CNKI |
| Chen et al. (29) | 2011 | Taiwan (China) | 23/25 | B; T; CD4+T; Treg | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Cheng (30) | 2007 | China | 25/21 | CD4+T | 28 ± 9/27 ± 6 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Dejaco et al. (31) | 2010 | Austria | 22/17 | Treg | 40.9 ± 12.7/40.3 ± 23.4 | nr | nr | 3 | Medline; PubMed |
| Deng et al. (32) | 2019 | China | 49/100 | Th1; Th2; Th1/Th2 ratio | 28.31 ± 6.72/27.38 ± 6.39 | nr | mNY1984 | 7 | CNKI |
| Deng et al. (33) | 2018 | China | 91/50 | T; CD4+T; CD8+T | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Dong et al. (34) | 2006 | China | 30/30 | T; CD4+T; CD8+T | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | CNKI |
| Duan et al. (35) | 2017 | China | 21/16 | T; CD4+T; CD8+T; Treg | 37 ± 9.8/34.6 ± 10.1 | BASDAI≥4 | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Dulic et al. (14) | 2017 | Hungary | 7/10 | CD4+T; CD8+T; Th1; Th2; Th1/Th2 ratio; Th17; Treg; Th17/Treg ratio | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Fattahi et al. (36) | 2018 | Iran | 30/15 | Th17; Treg | 31.4 ± 9.1/32.1 ± 8.2 | BASDAI≥4 | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Forger et al. (37) | 2009 | Switzerland | 15/18 | Treg | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | PubMed |
| Gao et al. (38) | 2012 | China | 40/37 | Th17; Treg | 29.1 ± 8.6/26.7 ± 6.9 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Guo et al. (39) | 2012 | China | 98/76 | CD4+T; CD8+T | nr | nr | nr | 5 | CNKI |
| Hajialilo et al. (40) | 2019 | Iran | 24/35 | Th17 | nr | BASDAI≥4 | ASAS2009 | 6 | Cochrane; Medline; PubMed |
| Han et al. (41) | 2006 | China | 69/50 | B; T; CD4+T; CD8+T | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | CNKI |
| He et al. (42) | 2012 | China | 32/50 | B; CD4+T; NK | nr | nr | nr | 4 | CNKI |
| Hu et al. (43) | 2019 | China | 60/40 | B; CD4+T; CD8+T; NK | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | CNKI |
| Hu et al. (44) | 2013 | China | 32/30 | T; CD4+T; CD8+T; Th1; Th2 | 34 ± 3.89/36 ± 3.76 | nr | mNY1984 | 4 | CNKI |
| Huang et al. (45) | 2009 | China | 20/9 | CD4+T; Treg | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 4 | CNKI |
| Huang et al. (46) | 1990 | China | 9/9 | CD4+T; CD8+T | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 4 | CNKI |
| Ji et al. (47) | 2014 | China | 20/20 | Treg | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 7 | Medline; PubMed |
| Kenna et al. (48) | 2012 | Australia | 17/20 | γδT; Th17 | 39.47 ± 13.6/nr | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Kim et al. (49) | 2019 | South Korea | 49/53 | CD4+T; CD8+T; NK | 36.4 ± 10.8/34.9 ± 9 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Klasen et al. (50) | 2019 | Germany | 14/5 | Th17 | 42.7 ± 3.15/nr | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | Medline; PubMed |
| Li (51) | 2019 | China | 64/60 | Th17; Treg | 33.26 ± 5.74/35.84 ± 6.19 | nr | mNY1984 | 7 | CNKI |
| Li et al. (52) | 2013 | China | 222/68 | Th17; Treg | 33.6 ± 8/34.1 ± 10.6 | BASDAI≥4 | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Li et al. (53) | 2009 | China | 30/10 | Th1; Th2; Th1/Th2 ratio | nr | BASDAI≥4 | mNY1984 | 5 | CNKI |
| Li et al. (54) | 2008 | China | 50/21 | T; CD8+T | 25 ± 8/25 ± 5 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Liao et al. (55) | 2015 | Taiwan (China) | 69/30 | Treg | 39.6 ± 12.7/44.3 ± 10.5 | nr | mNY1984 | 7 | Medline; PubMed |
| Limon-Camacho et al. (56) | 2012 | Mexico | 39/25 | Th1; Th2; Th17; Treg | 32 ± 13/32 ± 8 | BASDAI≥4 | mNY1984 | 4 | PubMed |
| Lin et al. (57) | 2008 | China | 66/30 | CD4+T; CD8+T | 29.7 ± 9.6/26.7 ± 6.7 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Lin et al. (58) | 2009 | China | 66/30 | B | 29.7 ± 9.6/26.7 ± 6.7 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | Cochrane; Medline; PubMed |
| Liu and Feng et al. (59) | 2017 | China | 38/38 | Th1; Th17 | 39.3 ± 3.4/40.4 ± 3.9 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Liu et al. (60) | 2016 | China | 60/20 | Treg | 35 ± 10.7/41.9 ± 11.7 | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | CNKI |
| Liu et al. (61) | 2012 | China | 60/30 | Treg | 31.5 ± 9.1/nr | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Liu et al. (62) | 2010 | China | 30/20 | Th1/Th2 | 26 ± 3.69/25.15 ± 3.79 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Long et al. (63) | 2018 | China | 65/20 | CD4+T; Tfh | 27.8 ± 8.5/31.4 ± 7.4 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Ma et al. (64) | 2011 | China | 36/32 | B; CD4+T; CD8+T; NK | 23.1 ± 4.8/25.8 ± 3.6 | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | CNKI |
| Ma et al. (65) | 2011 | China | 43/20 | B; T; CD4+T; CD8+T; NK | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 4 | CNKI |
| Ma et al. (66) | 2004 | China | 25/30 | B; T; CD4+T; CD8+T; NK | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | CNKI |
| Meng et al. (67) | 2015 | China | 42/20 | CD8+T; | 32.4 ± 9.3/29.5 ± 8.4 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Mo et al. (68) | 2019 | China | 30/23 | B; CD4+T; CD8+T; γδT; NK | 40.7 ± 3.18/45.71 ± 2.6 | nr | mNY1984 | 7 | CNKI |
| Pishgahi et al. (69) | 2020 | Iran | 31/35 | Th17; Treg | nr/41.89 ± 11.29 | nr | ASAS2009 | 5 | Medline; PubMed |
| Shan et al. (70) | 2015 | China | 20/10 | Treg | nr | BASDAI≥4 | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Shen et al. (71) | 2009 | China | 10/16 | Th17 | 46.05 ± 11.51/nr | nr | mNY1984 | 3 | Medline; PubMed |
| Suen et al. (72) | 2008 | Taiwan (China) | 23/26 | Treg | 43 ± 12/37 ± 12 | nr | nr | 4 | Medline; PubMed |
| Szalay et al. (15) | 2012 | Hungary | 13/9 | CD4+T; CD8+T; Th1; Th2; Th1/Th2 ratio; Th17/Treg ratio | 43.7 ± 9.2/nr | BASDAI≥4 | mNY1984 | 4 | Medline; PubMed |
| Szanto et al. (73) | 2008 | Hungary | 42/52 | B; T; CD4+T; CD8+T; Th1; Th2; NK | nr | BASDAI≥4 | mNY1984 | 5 | Medline; PubMed |
| Thoen et al. (74) | 1987 | Norway | 31/15 | CD4+T; CD8+T | 32 ± 1.8/nr | nr | mNY1984 | 3 | Medline; PubMed |
| Toussirot et al. (75) | 2009 | France | 32/15 | Treg | 42.9 ± 1.1/44.4 ± 0.8 | nr | nr | 4 | PubMed |
| Wang et al. (76) | 2020 | China | 90/90 | Th17; Treg; Th17/Treg ratio | 43.27 ± 8.19/43.55 ± 8.6 | nr | nr | 5 | CNKI |
| Wang et al. (77) | 2018 | China | 30/30 | Th1; Th17; Treg | 31.2 ± 4.1/nr | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Wang et al. (78) | 2018 | China | 26/26 | Treg | 33.5 ± 8.4/31.5 ± 10.2 | ASDAS ≥ 2.1 | mNY1984 | 4 | Medline; PubMed |
| Wang et al. (79) | 2016 | China | 50/50 | CD4+T; γδT | 28.53 ± 8.15/27.93 ± 8.52 | nr | mNY1984 | 7 | Medline; PubMed |
| Wang et al. (80) | 2015 | China | 78/30 | Treg; Th17/Treg ratio | 26 ± 7.8/25 ± 8 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Wang et al. (81) | 2015 | China | 45/20 | T; CD8+T; Th17; Treg | nr/55.05 ± 6.42 | nr | nr | 5 | Medline; PubMed |
| Wang et al. (82) | 2012 | China | 60/44 | B; T; CD4+T; CD8+T; NK | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Wang et al. (83) | 2008 | China | 30/20 | CD4+T; CD8+T; Th1; Th2 | 26 ± 3.69/25.15 ± 3.79 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Wei et al. (84) | 2017 | China | 131/127 | B; T; CD4+T; CD8+T; Treg; NK | 27 ± 8/26 ± 9 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Wu (85) | 2014 | China | 60/60 | Tfh | 26.9 ± 7.8/24.3 ± 5.6 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Wu et al. (86) | 2011 | China | 51/49 | Treg | nr | BASDAI≥4 | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Wu et al. (87) | 2011 | China | 24/30 | B | 35 ± 14/33 ± 12 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Xu et al. (88) | 2019 | China | 18/9 | Th17; Treg | 39.4 ± 2.3/42.6 ± 4.3 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Xu et al. (89) | 2018 | China | 69/22 | CD4+T; CD8+T; NKT | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Xu (90) | 2013 | China | 24/22 | Th1; Th17; Treg | 24.3 ± 8.5/27.9 ± 8.6 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Xu et al. (91) | 2011 | China | 78/50 | B; T; CD4+T; CD8+T; Th1; Th2 | nr | nr | nr | 5 | CNKI |
| Xue et al. (92) | 2015 | China | 38/30 | Th17; Treg | 29.93 ± 9.82/30.58 ± 8.39 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Xue et al. (93) | 2008 | China | 89/42 | T; CD4+T; CD8+T | nr | nr | nr | 5 | CNKI |
| Yang et al. (94) | 2020 | China | 67/50 | B; Th1; Th2; Th17 | nr | ASDAS ≥ 1.3 | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Yang et al. (95) | 2018 | China | 30/30 | T; NKT | 29.3 ± 5.9/31.1 ± 6.7 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Yang et al. (96) | 2017 | China | 40/40 | Treg | 32.53 ± 9.76/33.7 ± 10.06 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Yang et al. (97) | 2016 | China | 38/31 | Treg | 28.9 ± 10.8/29.1 ± 8.1 | nr | mNY1984 | 7 | CNKI |
| Yang et al. (98) | 2007 | China | 60/30 | B; T; CD4+T; CD8+T | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Ye et al. (99) | 2013 | China | 21/27 | Treg | 36.6 ± 10.2/37.9 ± 9.1 | nr | mNY1984 | 3 | Medline; PubMed |
| Zhang et al. (100) | 2019 | China | 60/30 | Th17; Treg; Th17/Treg ratio | 43 ± 11/32 ± 12 | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | CNKI |
| Zhang et al. (101) | 2019 | China | 39/41 | B; T; CD4+T; CD8+T; NK | 28.87 ± 8.31/27.05 ± 6.63 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Zhang et al. (102) | 2014 | China | 60/60 | Th1; Th17; Treg | 39 ± 3.2/39.2 ± 3.1 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Zhang et al. (103) | 2014 | China | 10/10 | Th17 | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 4 | CNKI |
| Zhang et al. (104) | 2012 | China | 32/20 | Th1; Th17 | 36.6 ± 10.2/37.9 ± 9.1 | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | Medline; PubMed |
| Zhang et al. (105) | 2008 | China | 78/50 | Treg; NK | 26.1 ± 6.8/25.5 ± 3.8 | BASDAI≥4 | mNY1984 | 7 | CNKI |
| Zhao and Li (106) | 2013 | China | 21/20 | Th17; Treg; Th17/Treg ratio | nr/26 ± 8 | BASDAI≥5 | mNY1984 | 5 | CNKI |
| Zhao et al. (107) | 2011 | China | 14/18 | Treg | 26.4 ± 6.1/28.2 ± 9.4 | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | Medline; PubMed |
| Zhao et al. (108) | 2009 | China | 30/30 | CD4+T; CD8+T | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | CNKI |
| Zhong and Ma (109) | 2014 | China | 78/30 | Th1; Th2; Th17 | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 6 | CNKI |
| Zhu et al. (110) | 2017 | China | 42/42 | CD4+T | nr | nr | nr | 3 | CNKI |
| Zhu et al. (111) | 2016 | China | 30/30 | NK | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 5 | CNKI |
| Zhu et al. (112) | 2000 | China | 14/7 | Th1; Th2; Th1/Th2 ratio | nr | nr | mNY1984 | 4 | CNKI |
AS, ankylosing spondylitis; HC, healthy control; nr, not reported; BASDAI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Disease Activity Index; ASDAS: Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score; mNY1984: 1984 Modified New York AS Criteria; ASAS2009: 2009 Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) Criteria.