There is limited information available with regard to the association between serum leptin levels, or other adipokines, and serum lipid levels and insulin sensitivity in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Thus, the aim of the present study was to perform a meta-analysis investigating this association. Potential relevant studies were identified through searching the following databases: MEDLINE, Science Citation Index, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Chinese Biomedical, Chinese Journal Full-Text and Weipu Journal. Statistical analyses were calculated using version 12.0 STATA software. In total, 21 case-control studies comprising 1,187 subjects (574 patients and 613 controls) were collected for the meta-analysis. The results identified a statistically significant difference in the serum levels of leptin when comparing the PD patients with the healthy controls [controls vs. cases, standardized mean difference (SMD), 2.09; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.58-2.59; P<0.001]. Furthermore, ethnicity-subgroup analysis indicated that the PD patients of Asian and Caucasian populations were associated with increased serum levels of leptin (Asian population, SMD, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.48-2.62; P<0.001; Caucasian population, SMD, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.19-3.18; P<0.001). Therefore, serum leptin levels may be used as a prognostic marker for PD.