TNF-α is an independent serum marker for proliferative retinopathy in type 1 diabetic patients

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to determine if there are any associations between serum levels of inflammatory markers and proliferative retinopathy (PDR) in type 1 diabetic patients. Design: A cross-sectional design was utilized for this study. Methods: One hundred twenty-eight type 1 diabetic patients underwent stereo fundus photography according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study and were divided into two retinopathy groups: no or nonproliferative retinopathy (NDR/NPDR; n=62) and PDR (n=66). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), P-selectin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Patients with PDR had higher levels of TNF-α [7.0 pg/ml (<4-17) vs. 6.0 pg/ml (<4-25); P=.009], sVCAM-1 [860 ng/ml (360-2120) vs. 700 ng/ml (310-1820); P