Moreover, the association between SLE activity and circulating level of IL-17 was highest in Africa (Fisher z = 0.60; Z = 3.346, P = 0.001), followed by Asia (Fisher z = 0.36; Z = 3.824, P < 0.001); other regions were not correlated (Z = 1.706, P = 0.088), and the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.366). Here, IL17A is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.