Abstract:Objective To analyze the significance of serum TNF-α levels in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods Serum levels of TNF-α and biochemical indexes were determined in 115 DR, 117 type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and 121 simple cataract (control group) patients. Results Serum TNF-α levels were higher in DR and DM groups than in control group, especially in DR group (P<0.05). In DR group, serum TNF-α concentrations were positively correlated with creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, and systolic blood pressure, and negatively with eGFR and HDL-C (P<0.01 or 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of TNF-α was 0.611. Conclusion Serum TNF-α levels are associated with renal injury indicators in DR patients.