METHODS: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2018 and November 2020. This study included diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with no DR, non-proliferative DR (NPDR), and proliferative DR (PDR). None of the patients with DM were included in the control group. Unstimulated saliva samples were then collected. TNF-α and IL-6 levels were measured.
RESULTS: Altogether, 120 patients were included in the study (DM without DR, 33 patients; DM with NPDR, 30 patients; DM with PDR, 32 patients; non-DM, 25 patients). The mean IL-6 level in saliva was significantly higher in the DM group (0.033 ± 0.005 pg/ml) than in the non-DM group (0.027 ± 0.001 pg/ml) (p