Table 1.
Clinical characteristics, topographic variables, biochemical parameters and TLR expression in patients with keratoconus and control subjects.
| Controls n = 20 | Keratoconus n = 40 | p | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 30.4 ± 7.6 | 33.1 ± 10.9 | 0.276 |
| Male (%) | 55 | 55 | 0.609 |
| Allergic disease (%) | 30 | 60 | 0.028 |
| Family history of KC | 0 | 25 | 0.001 |
| K2 (diopters) | 43.4 ± 1.2 | 54.3 ± 5.9 | <0.0001 |
| Thinnest point (μm) | 534.2 ± 32.1 | 410.5 ± 61.1 | <0.0001 |
| TLR2 neutrophils (AFU) | 539.2 ± 114.8 | 718.8 ± 92.3 | <0.0001 |
| TLR2 monocytes (AFU) | 2222.5 ± 415.8 | 2837.6 ± 487.1 | <0.0001 |
| TLR4 neutrophils (AFU) | 480.1 ± 129.8 | 678.9 ± 116.2 | <0.0001 |
| TLR4 monocytes (AFU) | 1033.6 ± 111.4 | 1613.4 ± 277.8 | <0.0001 |
| IL-1β (pg/mL) | 63.0 ± 38.1 | 123.9 ± 53.8 | <0.0001 |
| IL-6 (pg/mL) | 75.9 ± 41.6 | 112.4 ± 29.6 | <0.0001 |
| TNF-α (pg/mL) | 35.9 ± 24.5 | 93.2 ± 59.0 | <0.0001 |
| MMP-9 (ng/mL) | 16.8 ± 3.8 | 25.9 ± 6.4 | <0.0001 |
| NF-κB (∆Ct) | 5.9 ± 4.8 | 3.0 ± 4.4 | 0.036 |
IL = interleukin; K2 = steep meridian; KC = keratoconus; MMP-9 = matrix metalloproteinase 9; NF-κB = nuclear factor-kappa B; TNF-α = tumor necrosis factor alpha; TLR = Toll-like receptor.