Association between serum interleukin-6 levels with the risk and clinical severity of primary open-angle glaucoma

ABSTRACT

Objectives

To clarify the association between serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 with the risk and clinical severity of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods

A case–control study was performed in 78 participants (40 POAG cases and 38 controls). The serum level of IL-6 was then quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A meta-analysis was conducted from available studies investigating serum IL-6 levels in POAG and controls.

Results

We found that serum IL-6 level was significantly higher in POAG cases (32.24 ± 14.42 pg/mL) than the controls (14.36 ± 6.89 pg/mL, p < 0.0001), which was also confirmed by pooled analysis (mean difference (MD) 5.977 ng/mL (95% CI = (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.979–10.975; p = 0.019). Our finding also indicated the association between elevated level of serum IL-6 and risk (OR = 48, 95% CI = 12.42–185.49, p = <0.0001) and severity (OR = 4.33, 95% CI = 1.15–16.32, p = 0.030) of POAG.

Conclusion

Serum IL-6 level plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and severity of POAG.

KEYWORDS:

• Inflammatory mediators
• interleukin-6
• serum
• primary open-angle glaucoma
• glaucoma

Data availability statement

All data generated or analysed in this study are included within this article.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Author contributions

Z.U. and Y.H conceived and designed the study; Z.U., Y.H., L.R., sample and data collections; Z.U., and G.S., performed the analysis; Z.U., and G.S., wrote the article.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.