Table 3.

Comparison of cytokine levels between systemic sclerosis patients treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants vs. not receiving those medications at enrollment

Cytokine levels in patients treated with corticosteroids
	Yes	No	z	p
Tumor necrosis factor α	6.56 (3.74;8.52)	4.39 (3.52;7.91)	0.403	0.6866
Intereukin-6	3 (3;6.66)	3 (3:3)	1.514	0.12993
Interleukin-17A	1.2 (1.06;2.02)	1.06 (1.06;1.06)	2.878	0.00531*
Interleukin-4	14.6 (11.55;16.42)	14.6 (14.6;18.2)	− 0,12	0.904
Interferon γ	5.56 (5.56;11.43)	5.56 (5.56;11.43)	0.387	0.69858
Interleukin-10	7.41 (4.89;7.41)	7.41 (2.59;7.41)	0.213	0.8313
Fibroblast activation protein	30,520 (11,764.63;30,520)	30,520 (30,520;30,520)	− 1,999	0.04564*

Cytokine levels in patients treated with immunosuppressants other than corticosteroids
	Yes	No	z	p
Tumor necrosis factor α	5.33(4.39;11.59)	4.86(3.52;8.06)	0.792	0.428117
Intereukin-6	3(3;4.66)	3(3:3)	0.789	0.429849
Interleukin-17A	1.06(1.06;2.02)	1.06 (1.06;1.2)	0.129	0.897496
Interleukin-4	14.6(8.49;14.6)	14.6 (14.6;18.2)	− 0,983	0.325788
Interferon γ	5.56(5.56;11.43)	5.56 (5.56;8.5)	0.892	0.372204
Interleukin-10	7.41(0.51;7.41)	7.41 (7.41;7.41)	− 1,0513	0.293109
Fibroblast activation protein	30,520 (10,255.15;30,520)	30,520 (30,520;30,520)	− 1,0511	0.293233

Continuous variables are presented as the median and interquartile range (25–75Q)

*A statistically significant difference