Meanwhile, the levels of IL-17 (SMD=0.84; 95%CI=0.43,1.25; p=0.003; n=7; Table 5; Supplementary Figure D.15, 16) and IL-6 (SMD=2.12; 95%CI=0.21,4.02; p<0.001; n=3; Table 5; Supplementary Figure D.17) were greater in active SLE as compared to inactive SLE. Here, IL6 is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.