Molecular marker | KC (N = 30) | Subclinical KC (N = 30) | Control (N = 20) |
Interleukin 6 (pg/ml) | 5.5 (4.9 to 6.9)* | 5.7 (4.5 to 6.2)* | 2.2 (1.0 to 4.1) |
Tumour necrosis factor α (pg/ml) | 5.4 (4.1 to 6.8)*/*** | 4.8 (4.2 to 6.0)* | 1.8 (1.5 to 2.3) |
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (ng/ml) | 59.4 (50.6 to 66.1)*/** | 7.0 (4.8 to 8.6) | 6.1 (3.9 to 8.3) |
Values are expressed in median (quartiles).
*p<0.0001, in relation to control group.
**p<0.0001, in relation to subclinical keratoconus (KC).
***p<0.05, in relation to subclinical KC.