Serum Inflammatory Cytokines and Growth Factors in Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome and Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Background/ Aims: Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are common causes of dry eye disease (DED) and autologous serum is used when artificial tears are not sufficient. Our aim was to compare serum growth factor and inflammatory cytokine levels of SS and DM patients with the healthy individuals. Methods: Twenty-three SS patients (mean age 52.70±7.55 years), 25 DM patients (mean age 56.68±6.53 years), and 23 healthy subjects (mean age 51.70±9.14 years) were included in the study. After detailed ophthalmological examination, Schirmer test, tear break-up time (TBUT) and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores were measured. Serum levels of six different proinflammatory interleukins (IL), five growth factors, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and fibronectin were measured by immunoassay. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests and Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc analysis were used for comparison and p